Mamelodi Sundowns returned to the Betway Premiership summit after claiming a comfortable 2-0 win against Orbit College at Loftus Versfeld in the first match of the new year on Monday.
Goals in each half from Arthur Sales and new signing Brayan Leon took Miguel Cardoso's side one point above Orlando Pirates, who now have two games in hand.
Bafana ba Style were looking to put pressure on title rivals Pirates after a 1-1 draw with Siwelele on December 3 saw them pick up just eight points from their last five matches.
The Mswenko Boyz couldn't have asked for a tougher start to the new year as they attempted to arrest a three-match losing streak at the end of last year which left them just two points above the bottom two in 13th place.
The hosts almost got off to a flying start when Jayden Adams timed his run perfectly into the box and connected with the ball on the volley, only to be denied by the frame of the goal in the fourth minute.
But they were celebrating the lead midway through the first half thanks to the quick thinking of Sales, who blocked Cyril Chibwe's attempted clearance and then improvised with an overhead-kick into an open net.
Lebo Mothiba threatened to double Masandawana's advantage on 26 minutes after they surged forward, but Chibwe was quickly off his line to thwart the danger.
Masandawana kick off 2026 with all 3️⃣ points! A solid start to the year! 🙌
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) January 19, 2026
Mamelodi Sundowns (21’ Sales, 64’ Lèon) 2️⃣➖0️⃣ Orbit College#Sundowns #BetwayPrem #AreyengMasandawana pic.twitter.com/hLMCnhpOi3
Sales could have had a second goal before the break after getting on the end of a 33rd-minute free-kick, though his header lacked accuracy as it flew wide of the target.
Chibwe's debut was cut short by injury, and the former Zesco United goalkeeper had to be replaced by Sabelo Nkomo on 59 minutes.
It was a better start for another debutant after Leon latched onto a teasing cross from Thato Sibiya and buried a header past Nkomo, having only been on the pitch for 19 minutes.
The visitors had offered very little in attack during the first half and it was the same pattern in the second 45 minutes as Ronwen Williams didn't have a single save to make.
Miguel Reisinho came close to scoring his first goal for the defending champions after being set up by compatriot Nuno Santos in the 82nd minute, but his effort was cleared off the line by an Orbit defender.
Mamelodi Sundowns: (1) 2 (Sales 22', Leon 65')
Orbit College: 0
Mamelodi Sundowns: R. Williams, K. Johannes, G. Kekana, T. Sibiya, T. Morena (M. Reisinho 72'), S. Mkhulise, J. Adams (M. Allende 62'), T. Matthews (N. Santos 57'), A. Sales, L. Mothiba (B. Leon 46'), K. Lethlaku T. Zwane 62').
Orbit College: C. Chibwe (S. Nkomo 59'), K. Mkhabela, R. Mphahlele, T. Nhlapo, T. Jingana, R. Potsana, A. Batsi, L. Modimoeng, T. Mokwena (P. Mahlangu 70'), L. Mahlatsi (A. Lukhele 59'), I. Ramosala (B. Ralani 46').