Mamelodi Sundowns opened the new DStv Premiership season with a 2-0 win over Cape Town City at the DHL Stadium on Friday evening.
Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams was given his debut by Sundowns following the arrival from SuperSport United, as City debuted Marc Van Heerden and graduate Luke Daniels.
After an energetic opening, the Citizens should’ve gone ahead 20 minutes on the clock when Thabo Nodada latched onto a cutback from the right only to fire wide in the end.
Sundowns launched a quick response minutes apart after Haashim Domingo directed a loose ball on the edge of the area following a corner-kick over target with the defence caught.
The former under-23 International allowed another promising opportunity to go abegging on the half-hour mark when he dinked a ball into space over the top on the back of a third-man run.
At the other end, City squandered an inviting chance in the six-yard area minutes apart when youngster Daniels headed Khanyisa Mayo’s cross inches wide.
The Citizens were forced to a substitution eight minutes in the second half after a knock cut Daniels outing short and had Gambian Kajally Drammeh in from the bench.
Sundowns possessed patience and were ahead 60 minutes in when Aubrey Modiba curled a free-kick on the edge of the area beyond the reach of goalkeeper Hugo Marques.
The Brazilians bagged a second goal three minutes later after Themba Zwane got ahead of Keanu Cupido and latched onto Domingo's pass before lobbing Marques.
With the clock ticking away, City pushed for the turnaround and came close when Mogamat May’s low shot forced an outstretched save from Williams whilst debutant Jordan Bender entered.
Masandawana consolidated play in the closing minutes with City pushing forward and in the end picked a first win of the season.
Confirmed line-ups:
City: Marques, Martin, Mokeke, Cupido, Van Heerden, Ambina, Nodada, Mdantsane, Gonzales, Mayo, Daniels
Subs: Keet, Fielies, Fisher, Makola, KG, Goedeman, Bender, May, Kajally
Sundowns: Williams, Modiba, Mudau, B.Onyango, Lebusa , Mokoena, Domingo, Maema, Zwane, Kutumela, Shalulile.
Subs: D.Onyango, Morena, De Reuck, Mbule, Mkhulise, Jali, Ralani, Lakay, Mvala
