Mamelodi Sundowns booked their place in the last sixteen of the Nedbank Cup with a 5-2 win over ABC Motsepe outfit Sibanye Golden Stars.
It was an ideal start for the home team as Malibongwe Khoza put Sundowns in front in just the second minute.
Tashreeq Matthews doubled the lead in the 15th minute, before grabbing a second five minutes before halftime, pouncing on a defensive error, and it looked like smooth sailing for Miguel Cardoso’s team.
The Portuguese coach made three changes at the break, and instead of Sundowns extending their lead, the Free State side gave their big brothers a scare.
Ten minutes into the second half, and after some positive play from the third-tier outfit, Mojalefa Mokhatla slid one under Ronwen Williams before Boeletsang Rankali added a second six minutes later for Stars to pull within one goal.
Arthur Sales however made it four for Sundowns to increase the lead again in the 68th minute.
However, it ended on a sour note for Sundowns, who saw Bathusi Aubaas shown a red card for an off the ball incident, and Matsandawana played the final fifteen minutes with just ten men.
Kobamelo Kodisang completed a good game with a goal in stoppage time to make it 5-2.
Sundowns join Marumo Gallants, Chippa United, Durban City, Cape Town Spurs and Baroka who all booked their places in the last sixteen earlier.
Golden Arrows became the first Premiership casualty after their defeat to Chippa. Gallants beat Pretoria Callies on Friday, Spurs beat fellow Motsepe Foundation Championship side Venda Football Club, while Durban City and Baroka beat SAFA teams Lerumo Lions and Umvoti respectively.