Sundowns and SuperSport start with wins

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Aug 06, 2023. 19:49

There were opening-day victories for defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United, while Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates dropped points first up.

Mamelodi Sundowns got the ball rolling in the new DStv Premiership season with a 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday, which saw both team finish the game with 10 men.

Peter Shalulile opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 12 minutes before Vusimuzi Mncube was sent off for Babina Noko four minutes later. Lucas Ribeiro doubled the Brazilians’ lead on 57 minutes, but Jamie Webber (61′) quickly pulled one back for the hosts.

Masandawana were also reduced to 10 men with five minutes left on the clock when Rivaldo Coetzee received a straight red card to even the numbers.

Then on Saturday, SuperSport United kicked off their title challenge by beating Richards Bay 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Second-half goals from new signings Terrence Dzvukamanja (56′) and Etiosa Ighodaro (72′) took Matsatsantsa top of the table on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates are already having to play catch-up after they lost 1-0 to Stellenbosch at the Danie Craven Stadium in the late kick-off.

Antonio Van Wyk’s 42nd-minute goal settled the contest in the Cape Winelands as the Maroons (3rd) claimed only their second-ever victory over the Buccaneers, who find themselves second from bottom.

Steve Komphela got his Moroka Swallows tenure underway with a 1-1 draw against Golden Arrows at the Mpumalanga Stadium and the first KZN derby of the campaign between Royal AM and AmaZulu finished goalless at the Harry Gwala Stadium.

The Dube Birds had to battle from behind to earn a share of the spoils after Tshegofatso Mabasa (77′) cancelled out Siyanda Mthanti’s 50th-minute opener for Abafana Bes’thende.

In Sunday’s action, Kaizer Chiefs began the Molefi Ntseki era with a 0-0 draw against Chippa United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, while Cape Town Spurs’ return to the top flight ended in a 1-0 defeat to TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium.

The Urban Warriors spent the past five seasons in the National First Division following their relegation in 2017-18 and they were unfortunate to start with a loss after Cohen Stander’s 86th-minute own-goal handed the Rockets all three points.

The opening round concluded in dramatic fashion as Cape Town City defeated newcomers Polokwane City 1-0 at Athlone Stadium in the late kick-off.

New City signing Jo Paciancia popped up in the 92nd minute to get Eric Tinkler’s side off to a winning start against the Motsepe Foundation Championship winners.

Matchday 1 results:

Friday

Sekhukhune United 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns

Saturday

Golden Arrows 1-1 Moroka Swallows

SuperSport United 2-0 Richards Bay

Royal AM 0-0 AmaZulu

Stellenbosch 1-0 Orlando Pirates

Sunday

Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 Chippa United

TS Galaxy 1-0 Cape Town Spurs

Cape Town City 1-0 Polokwane City