Spectacular Modiba free-kick helps champions Sundowns seal victory in PSL season opener

Mamelodi Sundowns showcased champions mentality against Cape Town City in their PSL opener, earning a 2-0 victory as the 2022/23 season kicked off on Friday.

As it happened | Cape Town City v Mamelodi Sundowns

No less than 20 000 fans flocked to the Cape Town Stadium with enthusiasm as top-flight football returned, with last season’s champions and runners up giving spectators an entertaining contest under the floodlights. 

Downs were the first to enforce the press as the whistle sounded, pushing yellow shirts forward with their 3-4-3 formation that did not bother City in the early stages.

City fast man Craig Martin was the one to make the home side's intent felt as he put hard sliding tackles, but referee Thando Ndzanzeka made an example of his too many robust challenges with an early yellow card.  

With it being the first match of the season, there were signs of a game plan that still needs fine tuning from Sundowns and City, as mistakes along with the lack off fluidity were present on the night.

Cape Town-born midfielder Haashim Domingo had the first real chance for Downs in the penalty area, but his effort went over the crossbar.

City awoke and responded as Mduduzi Mdantsane latched onto the ball from a lineout and forced it out wide to Khanyisa Mayo, whose pace got the better of Aubrey Modiba. The jovial Mayo then put through a low cross with an incoming Martin storming forward, only for his header to go wide of the target.

The crowd, who yearned for an opening goal, got behind the players, but nothing as Modiba's quick-thinking assist over the City defence found Domingo. He acrobatically attempted to chip Hugo Marques but went wide off the target.

As half-time approached, City would get two goalscoring opportunities with