Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has explained why he took Aubrey Modiba off for Thapelo Maseko at half-time.
Mokwena included just one new signing into his starting XI, selecting Lucas Ribeiro on the right side of attack.
Peter Shalulile had scored the first goal of the season after just 12 minutes, while Vusimuzi Mncube was sent off after 16 minutes. But despite their 1-0 half-time lead, Mokwena opted to change things around and introduce Maseko.
The change paid off, as Ribeiro scored on debut, netting Downs’ second goal after 57 minutes after a superb assist by Thapelo Maseko, who snatched the ball from Daniel Cardoso before squaring it to the Brazilian.
“It just wasn’t working. We had a specific plan and it just wasn’t coming together,” he said on SuperSport TV.
“But Modiba is very important for us. He gives us so much versatility and multiple options. He understands this is the game of football.
“Maseko did very well when he came on, he gave us the impetus we were looking for.
“But yeah, congratulations it’s always very good to start off with a win and I’m very, very proud of the players and their effort.”
Sekhukhune pulled one back just four minutes via a superb Jamie Webber free-kick, but Downs managed to bring the three points home despite a late red card for Rivaldo Coetzee.
