Mamelodi Sundowns started the defense of their DStv Premiership title with a 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United in the opening match of the 2023/24 season in Polokwane.
Peter Shalulile converted a penalty in the 11th minute after Edwin Gyimah handled the ball in the box while new signing Ribeiro Costa Lucas scored the winner three minutes before the hour mark.
The home side had a really good chance to take the lead as early as the second minute with Elias Mokwana attempt going wide when he had only the net to beat.
Tebogo Mokoena could have also scored in the ninth minute. In the 16th minute Vusi Mncube was given his marching orders for a foul on Mokoena and after that the defending champions put on pressure with traffic going one direction.
Lucas had chances to get on the score sheet in the 22nd and 27th minutes but his attempts were saved by Badra Ali Sangare.
Shalulile could have also extended the lead in the 28th minute with a beautiful volley but it landed is Sangare’s hands. Marcelo Allende had a chance at the stroke of half time but it wasn’t to be as the game went into the break with Sundowns leading 1-0.
In the second half both sides made changes with Ba Bina Noko bringing new signing Tiklas Thutlwa for Rally Bwalya and Thapelo Maseko making his debut for Sundwons replacing Aubrey Modiba.
Sekhukhune’s defense was caught in the 57th minute when they exposed their keeper leaving the two Sundowns debutants to steal glory as Maseko found Lucas who netted the second goal. The celebrations did not last long as Jamie Webber a Sekhukhune debutant pulled one back for the hosts from a free-kick.
The visitors could have scored a third in the 68th minute when Themba Zwane squared the ball to Shalulile in the box, however the Namibian could not get to the ball quicker.
Rivaldo Coetzee got sent off in the for retaliation in the 84th minute, with both sides ending the game with 10 men.
