Atteridgeville - Mamelodi Sundowns did not have it all their own way against Premiership new boys Chippa United but did win 1-0 thanks to a free kick by Thamsanqa Sangweni at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
Sangweni, on his League debut for Sundowns, broke the deadlock in the 71st minute with an excellent set piece.
When Chippa’s Gift Sithole conceded a free kick on the edge of the danger area, Sangweni stepped up to drive home an important winning goal.
Sundowns started the match with former captain Esrom Nyandoro playing in defence, a position he has played in for Zimbabwe’s national team recently.
With Clayton Daniels out for Saturday night’s match and Siyanda Xulu on trial in Russia, Nyandoro stepped in to add experience to the backline while new signing Sangweni did duty in midfield.
Man of the Match was Chippa goalkeeper Abduraghmaan White who did very well to keep out Hlompho Kekana’s deflected shot with his foot early on.
Then in the 26th minute he made another good save. This time, Teko Modise slipped a pass through to Edward Manqele and White blocked the attempt.
It took until the 54th minute for Chippa to get a genuine opportunity on goal. Star forward Andile Mbenyane, who was in the Ajax Cape Town youth system a few years back, got some real power behind a shot, but his attempt was saved well by Wayne Sandilands.
White then made another very good save in the 60th minute when he parried the ball out for a corner after Tebogo Langerman fired in a powerful, low drive.
Sangweni, on his League debut for Sundowns, broke the deadlock in the 71st minute with an excellent set piece.
When Chippa’s Gift Sithole conceded a free kick on the edge of the danger area, Sangweni stepped up to drive home an important winning goal.
Sundowns started the match with former captain Esrom Nyandoro playing in defence, a position he has played in for Zimbabwe’s national team recently.
With Clayton Daniels out for Saturday night’s match and Siyanda Xulu on trial in Russia, Nyandoro stepped in to add experience to the backline while new signing Sangweni did duty in midfield.
Man of the Match was Chippa goalkeeper Abduraghmaan White who did very well to keep out Hlompho Kekana’s deflected shot with his foot early on.
Then in the 26th minute he made another good save. This time, Teko Modise slipped a pass through to Edward Manqele and White blocked the attempt.
It took until the 54th minute for Chippa to get a genuine opportunity on goal. Star forward Andile Mbenyane, who was in the Ajax Cape Town youth system a few years back, got some real power behind a shot, but his attempt was saved well by Wayne Sandilands.
White then made another very good save in the 60th minute when he parried the ball out for a corner after Tebogo Langerman fired in a powerful, low drive.