Mamelodi Sundowns booked their spot in the semi-finals of the MTN8 with a 1-0 win over ten-man Moroka Swallows on Saturday afternoon.
Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena started Peter Shalulile on the bench and awarded a starting berth to Neo Maema on the back of his winner off the bench against Kaizer Chiefs.
Andile Jali's outing against his former side was cut short with just seven minutes played as he was given an early shower for dangerous challenge on Teboho Mokoena and left the Dube Birds a man down.
In a busy opening, the Brazilians needed to make a substitution after Khuliso Mudau struggled to carry on following a rough challenge and had Bathusi Aubaas come on to make his debut.
Masandawana were keen to make their numerical advantage count later on and saw Thapelo Maseko go wide to launch a cutback only for the delivery to escape an outstretched Marcelo Allende.
On the other hand, the Dube Birds didn't lose their heads and had a rare opening from a cross in the box but the Brazilians managed to clear their lines at the back.
Sundowns needed just two minutes in the second half to go ahead when good forward play from Lucas Ribeiro Costa played Themba Zwane in-behind and the latter made no mistake.
Zwane was close to grabbing a brace with a low shot from another layoff by Costa minutes later, but Daniel Akpeyi got down and thwarted.
Masandawana give another player in Lesiba Nku his debut with 20 minutes to go as the former Marumo Gallants FC man replaced Maseko who was stretchered off.
With the likes of Gabadinho Mhango introduced, the Dube Birds still couldn't stage a comeback and were eliminated from the MTN8.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Mvala, Modiba, Mokoena, Maema, Zwane, Maseko, Ribeiro
Subs: D.Onyango, B.Onyango, Mashego, Zungu, Mbule, Aubaas, Nku, Mabena, Shalulile
Moroka Swallows: Akpeyi, Phillips, Allan, Sibiya, Sam, Mthethwa, Jali, Malinga, Ntsako, Mtshali, Mabasa
Subs: Mbanjwa, Shwabule, S.Sibiya, Wambi, Phalane, Van Rhyn, Mhango, Zuma, Damons
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