Mamelodi Sundowns thumped Golden Arrows 4-0 to maintain their perfect start to the DStv Premiership season on Tuesday evening.
Coach Rulani Mokwena gave Lesiba Nku his first start and welcomed Rivaldo Coetzee back from suspension, while Arrows gave a debut to new signing Brandon Theron.
Sundownns didn't need long to assert dominance as Peter Shalulile whizzed away from a challenge in the area and applied a deft one-touch finish from close-range on 17 minutes.
Masandawana doubled their lead midway through the first half when a slick move between Marcelo Allende and Neo Maema led to a cutback which Nku flicked in to open his account for the club.
The league leaders should've bagged a third goal with a powerful strike from outside the area by Teboho Mokoena, but he was denied by the upright following the half-hour mark.
It was all the champions at this stage and the third goal did arrive just before the interval when a perfectly weighted corner by Allende saw Grant Kekana head in off the far post.
Given the comfortable cushion, the host introduced fresh faces after the beak in the form of Terrence Mashego and veteran midfielder Bongani Zungu.
Former Marumo Gallants FC man Nku snatched a brace two minutes from halftime where he attacked a loose delivery off Maema's strike before finishing from close-range.
Abafana Besthende attempted to pull one back but appeared in short supply up top with the likes of Velemseni Ndwandwe and Nduduzo Sibiya unable to inspire momentum.
Young Siyanda Nyanga was given an outing by the host in the last 20 minutes after Shalulile picked up a knock and couldn't continue playing.
Masandawana were able to control the final stages and ran out comfortable victors to maintain their perfect start to the season.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Kekana, Abdelmounaim, Mvala, Coetzee, Mokoena, Maema, Allende, Zwane, Nku, ShalulileSubs: Pieterse, Onyango, Mashego, Modiba, Zungu, Aubaas, Mendieta, Nyanga, Ribeiro Costa
Golden Arrows: Watenga, Theron, Cross, Ndlovu, Shitolo, Dube, van Rooi, Ndwandwe, Gumbi, Moon, Sibiya
Subs: Mlungwana, Nguse, Mthanti, Dlamini, Nxadi, Cele, Ncube, Mhlongo, Zwane
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