Reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns were unable to making a winning start to the Betway Premiership season after a 1-1 draw against Chippa United on Saturday evening.
Betway Premiership
Result: Chippa United 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 08 August 2025
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
New signing Fawaaz Basadien made his first start for the Brazilians after coming off the bench against Richards Bay last weekend and while Peter Shalulile was named on the bench, Lucas Costa Ribeiro and Khuliso Mudua were not in the matchday squad.
The Chilli Boys, under new coach Sinethemba Badela, showed no signs of wanting to sit back against the reigning league champions and made a couple good forays into the Sundowns half in the opening 15 minutes.
Sundowns eventually got stronger as the first half went on and bagged the opening goal in the 32nd minute when Tashreeq Matthews id well to play in Arthur Sales, who took one touch before calmly slotting past Stanley Nwabali.
Even after going behind, Badela's charges continued to threaten the Sundowns defence but they squandered a glorious chance eight minutes before the break when the influential Xolani Sithole picked out Bonani, who blazed over the target with only Ronwen Williams to beat.
Chippa responded with a double changed ten minutes into the second half by throwing on Giovanni Philander and Keabetse Ramotsei, while Sundowns introduced Themba Zwane and Keanu Cupido five minutes later.
The Chilli Boys pushed for the equaliser and were rewarded in the 64th minute as Khaya Mfecane marked his debut with goal after his shot from distance took a big deflection and sailed past a helpless Ronwen Williams.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso responded with another change for the final by introducing young Siyabonga Mabena, who scored against Richards Bay last weekend, with Matthews making way in the process.
Mabena did have a chance to snatch a late winner after combining well in the box, but the young midfielder could only send his volley into the side-netting as the spoils were shared.
Here's how they lined up:
Chippa United: 23. Nwabali, 25. Kammies, 5. Ndlovu, 24. Konqobe, 27. Modise, 21. Seabi, 20. Mosele, 34. Bonani, 10. Matrose, 8. Mfecane, 3. Sithole
Subs: 1. Sithole, 12. Ramotsei, 13. Mini, 14. Mashele, 15. Tshobeni, 17. Philander, 18. Magwaza, 19. Peters, 28. Madingwana
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 20. Kekana, 5. Lebusa, 23. Basadien, 4. Mokoena, 11. Allende, 6. Modiba, 17. Matthews, 8. Adams, 9. Sales, 13. Rayners
Subs: 14. Onyango, 48. Cupido, 28. Mdunyelwa, 29. Lunga, 19. Aubaas, 18. Zwane, 22. Mabena, 42. Letlhaku, 38. Shalulile
