Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off their Betway Premiership title defence with a 1-1 draw against Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Miguel Cardoso's side went into the halftime interval one goal to the good after Arthur Sales broke the deadlock on 32 minutes, but they had to settle for a share of the spoils when new signing Khaya Mfecane equalised in the 65th minute.
The Chilli Boys hold the champions to a draw in Gqeberha 🌶️⚽#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/gYHFI2P7bn
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 9, 2025
Bafana ba Style did the league double over Chippa last season, winning 3-0 both home and away, and they began the 2025-26 campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory over Richards Bay in the MTN8 quarterfinals last weekend.
The visitors bossed proceedings in Gqerberha and threatened to open the scoring on numerous occasions, but Sinethemba Badela's side defended well in the early stages to keep them at bay.
However, their resolve would be broken just after the half-hour mark when Tashreeq Matthews found Sales inside the box and the Brazilian tucked his shot past Stanley Nwabali to give Masandawana the lead.
The pass from Matthews, the finish from Sales 😮💨🔥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 9, 2025
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/2srHf3RvXg
The Chilli Boys looked for a quick response as they hit Sundowns on the counter in the 37th minute, but Ronwen Williams wasn't required to make a save with the shot going wide of the target.
The Pretoria giants continued to dominate the ball in the second half and Sales had another attempt at goal from the edge of the box on 63 minutes after being teed up by Matthews once more, only for his strike to be deflected wide of the mark by a teammate.
Chippa got themselves back in the contest just two minutes later though, when Mfecane pounced to make an immediate impact for his new club after being signed from Cape Town Spurs earlier this week.
The Chilli Boys turn the heat up against the champions 😤🌶️
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 9, 2025
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/gFgxf8AdfF
Downs wasted little time in pushing for a second goal as Marcelo Allende found Themba Zwane with a neat backheel inside the box five minutes later, but Nwabali pulled off a fine save to prevent him from restoring their lead.
Siyabonga Mabena also went close in the closing stages with an effort that hit the side-netting in the 88th minute after latching onto an inch-perfect pass from Zwane.
Chippa United (0) 1 (Mfecane 65')
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Sales 32')
Chippa United: S. Nwabali, M. Modise, A. Konqobe, S. Ndlovu, S. Kammies, S. Seabi, G. Mosele, A. Bonani (K. Ramotsei 57'), K. Mfecane (A. Mashele 90+2'), A. Matrose (G. Philander 57', B. Madingwane 90+2'), X. Sithole.
Mamelodi Sundowns: R. Williams, F. Basadien (Z. Mdunyelwa 46'), G. Kekana, M. Lebusa (K. Cupido 61'), A. Modiba, T. Mokoena, J. Adams (T. Zwane 61'), M. Allende, T. Matthews (S. Mabena 77'), I. Rayners, A. Sales (K. Lethlaku 73').