The opening DStv Premiership encounter did not disappoint as Mamelodi Sunndowns overcame Sekhukhune United in a game that produced three goals and two red cards on Friday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Sekhukhune United 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 04 August 2023
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Sundowns named only one new signing in the line-up, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who joined Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile upfront. Sekhukhune, meanwhile, handed debuts to Jamie Webber and Rally Bwalya.
The Brazilians almost got off to a bad start after goalkeeper Ronwen Williams gave away possession straight to striker Chibuike Ohizu out of his goal, but redeemed himself with a save to deny the Nigerian.
The Tshwane giants slowly found their rhythm but went ahead on 11 minutes from the penalty spot slammed home by Peter Shalulile after Edwin Gyimah handled the ball in the box.
Sekhukhune made things more difficult for themselves as they were reduced to ten men on 17 minutes after Vusimuzi Mncube was red-carded for a dangerous challenge on Teboho Mokoena.
Rulani Mokwena's charges started to threaten more towards the latter stages of the first half as Ribeiro and Shalulile both forced saves out of goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare, while Marcelo Allende went close on the stroke of halftime.
Mokwena made a tactical change at halftime as he brought on new signing Thapelo Maseko in place of Aubrey Modiba.
The changed proved to be a masterstroke as Maseko took possession off Daniel Cardoso and setup an unmarked Riveiro to score into a gaping net on his debut.
Babina Noko pulled a goal back almost immediately after that, as Webber curled a sublime low free-kick into the bottom corner that caught Williams flat-footed, marking his debut with goal.
Sundowns kept Sekhukhune at bay by keeping possession but they were also reduced to ten men in the last five minutes after Rivaldo Coetzee was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Webber in an off-the-ball incident.
The visitors continued to run down the clock by slowing down the tempo of the game and survived some scares from Babina Noko, as they held on to claim maximum points.
Here's how they lined up:
Sekhukhune United: 30. Sangare, 2. Mobbie, 36. Ntiya-Ntiya,4. Cardoso, 39. Gyimah, 12. Mokotjo, 17. Mokwana, 8. Webber, 34. Ohizu, 18. Bwalya, 10. Mncube
Subs: 16. Leaner, 27. Mkhabela, 29. Tshibwabwa, 25. Dias, 35. Mahlangu, 11. Vilakazi, 26. Maloisane, 40. Mosadi, 21. Thutlwa
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 25. Mudau, 13. Boutouil, 5. Lebusa, 40. Coetzee, 4. Mokoena, 17. Modiba, 11. Allende, 18. Zwane, 23. Ribeiro, 38. Shalulile
Subs: 26. Pieterse, 20. Kekana, 34. Mvala, 14. Mashego, 8. Zungu, 35. Maema, 15. Mendieta, 22. Mabena, 33. Maseko
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