Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars each had a player sent off in their penultimate Absa Premiership at the Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg on Thursday.

Sundowns won the match courtesy of an Elias Ngwepe strike in the 46th minute.

"The boys lost concentration and they caught us napping just after the break, it's unacceptable though," said Stars assistant coach Cavin Johnson.

"We had chances to finish them off but our players could not make the best of their opportunities. Their keeper got man of the match so that should tell you we were attacking but could not finish.

Although the first half was very quiet and both keepers had little to do, Sundowns goalie Jackson Mabokgwane thwarted a few Stars attempts in the second half.

Former Santos winger Tyren Arendse, who got a rare start in the Brazilians jersey, was sent off in the 77th minute for a second bookable offence and Stars midfielder Joseph Mkalipa followed him six minutes later.

The result leaves the Tycoons, as Stars are known, in ninth place while the five-time league champs move up to third place with 47 points.

Sundowns end the season on Sunday against Free State Stars while the Platinum outfit travel to Cape Town to face Santos.

Sapa