Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off their Premier Soccer League (PSL) title defence with a 2-1 victory against Sekhukhune United at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday night.
Goals from Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro ensure that Downs secured three points on opening night. The game got off to an energetic start with Babina Noko pressing Masandawana high in their half and applying pressure on the defence. However, it took only ten minutes for Masandawana to get a stronghold on the game.
Defender Edwin Gyimah’s handling error in the box left the referee with no choice but to award Sundowns with a penalty. Namibian striker Shalulile stepped up to the penalty spot and buried the attempt to open the scoring for the new season. The home side’s woes were compounded a few minutes later when Vuyisile Mncube picked a red card for a dangerous tackle on Teboho Mokoena.
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The second half began with a change, with Thapelo Maseko coming on for his debut in place of Aubrey Modiba. The speedy winger got stuck into the action right away and put in a dangerous ball early on in the second that had to be cleared away. The energy from Maseko paid off as his pressing led to a mistake at the back , which he pounced on to set up Riberio who scored on his debut.
With Downs two goals up, the hosts were able to pull one back through to Jamie Webber who scored from a free kick but in the end, it was Masandawana, who held on to claim all three points on the road and start the thirty game league campaign with a win on matchday one. The Brazilians will next face rivals Kaizer Chiefs.