DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns opened the new season with an entertaining 2-1 victory away to Sekhukhune United, with both sides finishing the game with ten players.
Masandawana handed new signing Lucas Ribeiro Costa a debut and opted to start fellow signings Thapelo Maseko and Junior Mendieta on the bench.
A dominant start from the title holders followed in the opening ten minutes, which led to a penalty after Edwin Gyimah handled in the box and last season's joint top scorer Peter Shalulile did the honours from 12-yards out to make it 1-0 to Sundowns.
It continued to go downhill for Babina Noko five minutes later as a rash challenge on Teboho Mokoena by Vusimuzi Mncube saw the referee hand the latter a red card.
Ribeiro Costa went close to doubling Sundowns' tally before the half-hour mark from a twist and turn in the area, but he couldn't get the better of Badra Ali Sangare.
Sekhukhune continued to chase shadows and were under threat again as a curling shot on the edge of the area by Marcelo Allende narrowly shaved the bottom-corner on the stroke of halftime.
The Brazilians gave Maseko his debut after the interval as he replaced Aubrey Modiba, while Sekhukhune had their own new boy Tiklas Thutlwa come on for Rally Bwalya.
Maseko made his presence felt ten minutes later after he pressed Daniel Cardoso high up the pitch before teeing up Ribeiro Costa, who slotted home for his debut goal.
Babina Noko got one back after five minutes where former SuperSport United man Jamie Webber drilled a low free-kick through the defensive-wall and into the bottom corner.
Sundowns were down to ten players too in the last nine minutes as Rivaldo Coetzee was sent packing for retaliation following a challenge on Webber, but it was not detrimental as the visitors held on to start to the season with a victory.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Mobbie, Ntiya-Ntiya, Cardoso, Gyimah, Mokotjo, Mokwana, Webber, Ohizu, Bwalya, Mncube
Subs: Leaner, Mkhabela, Tshibwabwa, Dias, Mahlangu, Vilakazi, Maloisane, Mosadi, ThutlwaMamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Boutouil, Lebusa, Coetzee, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Zwane, Ribeiro, Shalulile
Subs: Pieterse, Kekana, Mvala, Mashego, Zungu, Maema, Mendieta, Mabena, Maseko
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