Mamelodi Sundowns went down 2-1 to Petro de Luanda in their CAF Champions League quarter-final first-leg on Saturday night.
With George Maluleka and Surprise Ralani unavailable after the mauling of Golden Arrows, Sundowns called Thapelo Morena and Teboho Mokoena to replace the duo.
Masandawana made a comfortable start to the match with five minutes played after Lyle Lakay's curling free-kick escaped the defensive wall and deflected into the bottom corner.
The Brazilians advantage lasted just ten minutes as Tiago Azulao dodged a challenge in the centre of the area to side-footed a teasing cross past a stretching Denis Onyango.
Sundowns battled thereafter and should've had the lead once again in the final stages to halftime as Themba Zwane found the post from a one-two with Peter Shalulile who then hoofed the rebound.
It is a chance that came back to haunt Masandawana after Petro went ahead with the last attack of the half through Yano's close-range as the visitors failed to deal with a cross into the area.
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After a tough start to the second period, the Brazilians were denied the equaliser after goalkeeper Wellington shifted across his goal-line and smothered Shalulile's back-post header.
Sundowns maintained pressure later on with another chance by Shalulile, as Lebohang Maboe replaced Gaston Sirino and Morena vacated for Neo Maema.
However, the Brazilians struggled to gain confidence thereafter and saw Petro further ahead through a tap-in from Azulao off a move right of the area, but the strike was disallowed for offside.
With Petro dominating, Sundowns thought they had equalised through a curler outside the area from Maema in added time but after a Video Assistant Referee review, it was disallowed following a foul in the build-up.
The Angolans looked to make it three straight thereafter, but didn't achieve that though still ended victorious.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sundowns: D.Onyango, Mudau, Lakay, Lebusa, B.Onyango, Jali, Mokoena, Morena, Zwane, Sirino, Shalulile
Subs: Mweene, Mvala, De Reuck, Modiba, Maboe, Maema, Safranko, Kapinga, Erasmus