Sekhukhune United opened their 2024-25 Betway Premiership campaign with a 1-0 home win over newly-promoted Magesi FC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Babina Noko won this Limpopo derby thanks to a debut goal late in the first half from DR Congo forward Andy Boyeli, condemning Dikwena tsa Meetse to a defeat in their first-ever top-flight league match.
Sekhukhune bossed the game through the course of the first half, but it was only in the final few minutes before the interval that they really began threatening a goal.
They should have claimed the lead in the 43rd minute when a sweeping move set up Keletso Makgalwa with a clear sight of goal, but his effort was straight into the grasp of Magesi goalkeeper Bongani Mpandle.
Yet just a minute later, Babina Noko broke the deadlock, with Vusumuzi Mncube providing a low cross from the right which was emphatically finished by new signing Andy Boyeli.
The first Polokwane derby of the season ends in victory for Sekhukhune ✅🔴#BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/7SjhA3Q0iJ
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 18, 2024
And Sekhukhune almost doubled their advantage in injury time before the break, as midfielder Thabang Monare let fly from the edge of the box and rattled the frame of the goal.
The hosts looked for a second goal soon after the restart, but were unable to take advantage of the openings they created.
And Dikwena tsa Meetse nearly punished their opponents on 53 minutes, as Kgaogelo Sekgota crossed from the right to find Samuel Darpoh, but the midfielder ballooned his shot over the crossbar.
Sekhukhune had further half-chances in an effort to put the game to bed in the final quarter, but an inability to find the net for a second time led to a tense final few minutes, with Magesi throwing men forward in what was a brave but ultimately futile attempt to salvage a share of the spoils.
Magesi will be back in action on Saturday 21 September when they host Polokwane City for another Limpopo derby, while Sekhukhune’s next match is at home to Chippa United on Wednesday 25 September.
Sekhukhune United (1) 1 (Boyeli 44’)
Magesi FC 0
Sekhukhune: Sangare, Mkhabela, Yamba, Ngcobo, Langa, Mkhize, Monare, Makgalwa (Mokhuoane 77’), Mncube (Mokoane 58’), Boyeli (Vandala 71’), Ohizu
Magesi: Mpandle, Mashigo, Abrahams, L. Mokone, J. Mokone, Matsemela (Kakora 55’), Darpoh, Mekoa (Ndwandwe 75’), Sekgota (Makhele 55’), Ngwadla (Everson 75’), Manzini (Motupa 65’)