Mamelodi Sundowns booked their spot in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Mpheni Home Defenders on Sunday afternoon.
Denis Onyango, Malibongwe Khoza, Terrence Mashego, Asekho Tiwani, Sphelele Mkhulise, Tashreeq Matthews, Matias Esquivel and Arthur Sales slotted back in the Brazilians eleven.
Matthews got the opening goal on eight minutes when he took one-touch to back-heel a low cross from Sales into the bottom-corner.
Sundowns secured a second goal inside the half-hour mark after Bathusi Aubaas latched onto a loose ball to the edge of the box following a corner and volleyed in the near post.
The third division outfit did get in the advanced area a couple of instances, but didn't get to trouble Onyango nor attempts of note.
Masandawana were pretty comfortably towards the final minutes of the half and therefore entered the break in the lead.
However, Mpheni did come close in additional time of the first half and hit the top of the woodwork following a defensive error by the Brazilians.
Sundowns were a man down a minute in the second half when a studs-up challenge by Matthews saw him giving a second yellow and then a red card.
The reduced personnel allowed the visitors to have a bit of control and played more forward passes in and around the lines of the Brazilians.
Onyango was called to a save well midway phase of the second half when he got across to parry a downward header from Lucky Buasi.
Masandawana gave a debut to new signing Keanu Cupido as Peter Shalulile and Jayden Adams also came off the bench for Sales, Esquivel and Mashego respectively.
The visitors continued to fancy their chances late on, but Masandawana controlled all and secured the much-needed win to progress to the quarter-finals.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Aubaas, Lebusa, Khoza, Kodisang, Mkhulise, Tiwani, Esquivel, Mashego, Matthews, Sales
Sub: Pieterse, Cupido, Johannes, Mokoena, Adams, Ribeiro, Lethaku, Maseko, Shalulile
Mpheni Home Defenders: Thompson, Matumba, Magubane, Benside, Nyundu, Matlabe, Maluleke, Munyadziwa, Buasi, Hlungwane, Mulaudzi
Subs: Mngomezulu, Matumba, Ndou, Nkabinde, Nemutandani, Makua, Mokgopo, Shilenge, Mbau