Mamelodi Sundowns secured a record-breaking 12th win in a row after defeating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in DStv Premiership on Saturday night.
Keagan Dolly and Sifiso Hlanti slotted back into the Chiefs line-up following the 4-0 loss at AmaZulu, while Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena recalled Peter Shalulile and Grant Kekana.
Chiefs lived nervously earlier on where a snap shot from Shalulile ricocheted off the defence and touched the base of the post with goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune unaware before he gathered the follow-up.
Masandawana got the breakthrough on 20 minutes after a flowing move from the back led Shalulile cutback to the edge of the area for Neo Maema to drill into the top corner.
Chiefs started to find a bit of momentum following the difficult start and the pace of Ashley Du Preez on the counter-attack unsettled the Brazilians in one or two instances.
The Brazilians looked to add to their lead before halftime from a few balls in the channels by Marcelo Allende, Themba Zwane and Maema, but the Amakhosi cleared their lines.
It was an inspired start into the second half for the host as a first-time shot from the edge of the area by Du Preez flashed the side-netting with Siyethemba Sithebe in for Samkelo Zwane.
Sundowns were inches away from a second over 12 minutes in the second half when Cassius Mailula dropped wide of the area and fired in the side-netting from point-blank range.
As Chiefs battled to draw level, Masandawana edged closer to a second late on where Gaston Sirino's first-time shot from a cool one-two rolled narrowly across target.
The Amakhosi could've drawn level ten minutes from time through Reeve Frosler following a first-time shot in the area, but he went wide.
With youngsters Wandile Duba and Mdudusi Shabalala on the field, Chiefs caused problems again and a mazy run and cutback by Duba nearly resulted in the equaliser but the defence cleared.
Sundowns managed to run down the final few minutes of the match and clinched an unprecedented 12th successive league win, which is a new league record in the Premier Soccer League era.
Confirmed line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune, Frosler, Dove, Kwinika, Hlanti, Zwane, Maart, Ngcobo, Dolly, Du Preez, Bimenyimana.
Subs: Petersen, Ngezana, Sithebe, Matlou, Mashiane, Solomons, Shabalala, Duba, Sekgota.
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Modiba, Kekana, Mvala, Mokoena, Zwane, Allende, Maema, Shalulile, Mailula.
Subs: D.Onyango, Ngobeni, Sirino, Ralani, Morena, Mbule, Mkhulise, Saavedra, De Reuck
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