Miguel Cardoso enjoyed a winning start to life at Mamelodi Sundowns, who secured a 1-0 win against Raja Casablanca in CAF Champions League action on Sunday afternoon.
New Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso rang the changes as Mosa Lebusa, Neo Maema, Divine Lunga and Sphelele Mkhulise recalled, while Aubrey Modiba, Bathusi Aubaas and Peter Shalulile dropepd to the bench.
It was extremely tight in the opening stages with challenges intense across all areas of the field by both sides and limited chances put on display.
For Raja, a lot of their play centred on the counter-attack as a switch of play to the far side stretched their South African counterparts on a few occasions.
Sundowns did come close to unlock the visitors with one-two by Lucas Ribeiro from a tight angle, but the Moroccan champions tracked back and cleared.
The visitors, however, were forced to make a change on the half-hour mark as Abdellah Khafifi couldn't carry on due to injury and was replaced by Benaissa Benamar, which capped off a quiet first-half affair in the capital.
Masandawana also turned to the bench after the conclusion of halftime and introduced Kutlwano Letlhaku in the place of Mkhulise.
Sundowns continued going forward in a quest to register the opener with Marcelo Allende going close through a shot from right outside the area.
Opportunities still came a while later when substitute Shalulile hit the top of the net with a galloping header following a first-time cross.
As Raja looked to absorb the pressure, Masandawana hit the front in the last 20 minutes when Iqraam Rayners dropped on the edge of the box and lashed in off the inside post.
The North Africans pushed all the numbers, hoping to get a response but were unable to breakdown Masandawana who clinched their first win in the group stages this season.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Khoza, Lebusa, Mokoena, Mudau, Lunga, Maema, Mkhulise, Allende, Rayners, Ribeiro
Subs: Onyango, Saavedra, Sales, Mashego, Letlhaku, De Reuck, Morena, Shalulile, Maboe