Mamelodi Sundowns returned to winning ways in the Betway Premiership with a 2-0 victory over AmaZulu on Tuesday evening.
Numerous changes for Masandawana saw Ronwen Williams, Grant Kekana, Lucas Suarez, Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena, Divine Lunga and Iqraam Rayners recalled to the starting line-up.
Masandawana made the bright start and saw Aubrey Modiba go high and wide from a follow-up attempt by Peter Shalulile with the visitors caught square.
The boys of Arthur Zwane fancied moments though amidst the calibre of opposition as defender Taariq Fielies snapped a potent header from a free-kick narrowly wide.
Rayners attempted to get in-behind and pounce on a through ball by Mokoena, but he was thwarted effectively by amongst others Veli Mothwa.
Usuthu got a decent opening a little to the interval when Pule Ekstein played a surging cross in the box for Tshepang Moremi to take aim, but the winger went over.
The runaway leaders decided to freshen up their personnel up top before the second half and installed Arthur Sales for Lunga.
Shalulile secured the opener five minutes in the second half after he made a run off the shoulder of the defence and dispatched to get his 100th goal for the club.
Loanee Suarez nearly extended the advantage through a teasing header at the back-post following a floating cross, but Mothwa made a stop.
Masandawana were keen to double the lead with a clever effort from the edge of the area by Sales, but the off-season signing went well over the mark.
Sales did made amends in the last three minutes when he pounced on a clever delivery from Lucas Ribeiro and executed with aplomb.
AmaZulu could've had a consolation in added time through Riaan Hanamub, but he went over as the Brazilians marched to victory.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mokoena, Kekana, Suarez, Modiba, Ribeiro, Lunga, Mudau, Adams, Rayners, Shalulile
Subs: Onyango, Khoza, Morena, Cupido, Mkhulise, Esquivel, Letlhaku, Matthews, Sales.
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Jooste, Fielies, Mthethwa, Hanamub, Mobara, Zungu, Motshwari, Moremi, Kambindu, Ekstein
Subs: Ofori, Gumede, Sikhakhane, Mphahlele, Radebe, Brooks, Haba, Sithole, Human