Cape Town City have just two matches remaining to avoid the promotion/relegation playoffs after they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Betway Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, 3 May.
Goals in each half from Tashreeq Matthews and Iqraam Rayners handed Miguel Cardoso's side all three points to take them a step closer to a record eighth straight league title and leave the Citizens three points adrift of safety at the foot of the table.
City were desperate for a result after seeing SuperSport United beat Chippa United 2-0 earlier in the day, while Masandawana looked to maintain the 12-point gap to Orlando Pirates, who clinched a 2-1 comeback win against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby.
The visitors bossed the possession in the first half as expected, but they didn't create many clear-cut chances, with Aubrey Modiba testing Darren Keet from the edge of the box on 17 minutes before Teboho Mokoena flashed a trademark rocket from range past the post three minutes later.
It took a moment of vision to break the deadlock on 34 minutes as Grant Kekana released Rayners down the right with a defence-splitting pass, and the striker did well to hold the ball up before picking out Matthews to tap home from close range.
Keet was called into action again three minutes later to deny Thapelo Morena after the right-back drove forward and unleashed a low shot that was well saved.
The hosts didn't manage a single shot before halftime and they struggled to carve out any real openings in the second half. Sundowns threatened to double their lead on 57 minutes when Arthur Sales got on the end of Modiba's cross, but the Brazilian striker sent his header just wide of the target.
Keet was well-positioned to deal with a powerful strike from Marcelo Allende in the 70th minute as the Tshwane giants pushed for a second goal. They wouldn't have to wait much longer though, with Rayners bagging his 11th league goal of the season after being set up by a neat pass from Sales.
Ronwen Williams was at least required to make a save in the closing stages, which ensured that the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper kept his ninth clean sheet of the campaign as Downs registered their third win in four games.
Cape Town City 0
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 2 (Matthews 34', Rayners 78')
Cape Town City: D. Keet, T. Mkhize, N. Idumba, L. Gordinho, T. Nyama, G. Amato (K. Mokotjo 73'), A. Petrus (T. Goedeman 73'), J. Rhodes (C. Bezuidenhout 90'), F. Makaringe (K. Francis 79'), D. Gonzalez, T. Nodada (H. Domingo 79').
Mamelodi Sundowns: R. Williams, T. Morena (K. Mudau 79'), G. Kekana (M. Khoza 81'), M. Lebusa, A. Modiba, L. Ribeiro (J. Adams 79'), T. Mokoena, T. Matthews (T. Zwane 81'), M. Allende, A. Sales, I. Rayners (T. Maseko 79').