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Mamelodi Sundowns off to a winning start 

DStv Premiership defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns opened their new campaign with a 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday evening.

The match was the first of the 2023/24 PSL season. 

Sundowns opened the scoring in the 10th minute via a penalty by Peter Shalulile. The Namibian converted from the penalty spot after Sekhukhune defender Edwin Gyimah handled the ball in the penalty area.

SET BACK FOR SEKHUKHUNE UNITED 

The home side were dealt a huge blow seven minutes later. Vusimuzi Mncube was shown a red card after a foul on Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena. Aubrey Modiba came close to doubling the score line moments later. But his shot in the near post was saved by Sangare. 

The match started to gain momentum after a slow start as both teams started to attack more. Shalulile was once again a danger to the Sekhukhune defence, but his shot found Sangare well positioned in the half-hour mark.

Moments later, Chibuike Ohizu failed to connect with a cross from Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, wasting a great opportunity. 

Mamelodi Sundowns off to a winning start 
Jamie Webber

Sundowns nearly got their second, but defender Khuliso Mudau failed to convert after a good combination play from Themba Zwane and Shalulile inside the penalty box.

Ronwen Williams, who got away with a terrible mistake earlier in the first half, was forced to play sweeper keeper on various occasions as Sundowns dominated possession.  

The match went into halftime with the defending champions leading 1-0. 

IMMEDIATE IMPACT FOR MAMELODI SUNDOWNS NEW SIGNINGS 

The visitors introduced a new signing Thapelo Maseko, early in the first half and were immediately rewarded.

Maseko played the provider to a fellow new signing Lucas Rebeiro to score the second goal for Sundowns. But it took two minutes for the home side to get one back with a stunning freekick by new signing Jamie Webber. 

Rivaldo Coetzee was also shown a red card with five minutes to go. This is after a retaliation on a foul by a Sekhukhune player. 

RELATED STORY: What Mamelodi Sundowns told Etiosa Ighodaro

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