Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns collected a big three points in the Absa Premiership on Wednesday as they defeated Golden Arrows 1-0 at the Princess Magogo Stadium.

It was the hosts who came out strongest in the opening exchanges and were perhaps unfortunate not to take the lead inside the opening 10 minutes.

Following a weak header from Ricardo Nascimento which evaded Downs goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse inside the area, Lerato Lamola fluffed his lines as he failed to convert into an empty net.

Sundowns were continuing to play out from the back without creating very meaningful chances thereafter, however, Pitso Mosimane's side did come close to an opener later in the first stanza.

After a cross into the area, Toni Silva found space to connect but saw his effort go into the side-netting. Not long afterwards, Sibusiso Vilakazi showed his attacking instincts as he fired just wide.

With that said, the Brazilians were showing their quality and took the advantage just before the break. Maboe showed his skill and ability to convert with precision beyond a stranded Nkosingiphile Gumede, after a superb pass from veteran Hlompho Kekana.

After the interval, Mahlambi almost doubled the lead for the visitors, though his strike went just inches wide of the target.

Downs looked the more threatening inside the final 20 minutes when Jose Ali Meza broke through but saw his shot well-saved by Gumede in goal.

There were few more alarms in the closing stages as both teams did not create many openings, and Masandawana collected a valuable three points in Durban.