Lucas Ribeiro bagged a brace as Mamelodi Sundowns continued their perfect start to the new season with a 2-0 victory Polokwane City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Masandawana’s Brazilian recruit scored from the penalty in the first half before hitting the back of the net again after the interval as the six-time defending champions made it six wins from six in the new campaign.
Sundowns made a strong start to the contest and went on the attack in the opening 10 minutes, good interplay won them a penalty when Polokwane defender Bulelani Nikani brought down Marcelo Allende in the box.
Ribeiro stepped up and sent goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula the wrong way to put the visitors ahead.
The home side made some good strides as the half went on, troubling the Sundowns defence with some movement and tactical play.
The failure to make the most of opportunities though is what hurts teams, especially against Masandawana, where every half-chance must be taken.
That came back to bite Polokwane as Sundowns doubled their lead five minutes after the half-time break, and it was that man Ribeiro again.
The hosts had initially cleared a corner but the ball came to Themba Zwane who saw his shot saved by Mathebula but the Brazilian was on hand to put away the rebound.
The only sour note of the evening for the defending champions was a red card to substitute Lebohang Maboe for a dangerous tackle.