Mamelodi Sundowns booked their ticket into the next round of the Nedbank Cup with a narrow 1-0 win over Tshwane rivals SuperSport United at the Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The decisive goal of the derby arrived in the 24th minute as Sibusiso Vilakazi slid home a low cross from the Thapelo Morena.
The match started slowly as both teams were content to keep the ball without looking to penetrate the opposition.
Masandawana took the lead after a flowing move saw playmaker Gaston Sirino send Morena through down the right hand side and the winger sent in a cross that was neatly finished by Vilakazi at the far post.
The goal seemed to wake Matsatsantsa up as they started to get more into the encounter.
Teboho Mokoena had a curling effort go just past a sprawling Denis Onyango in the Sundowns goal while the shot-stopper had to be alert to save from Sipho Mbule not long after.
The second half saw very few chances created with Themba Zwane having the best of the lot as he should have doubled Sundowns’ advantage in the 72nd minute.
The Bafana Bafana midfielder was put clear on goal by Andile Jali but Zwane was denied by an excellent save from SuperSport ‘keeper Ronwen Williams, who tipped the ball wide.
Sundowns eventually held on for the victory that sees them progress into the Last 16 of the Nedbank Cup.