Mamelodi Sundowns held to draw by Chippa United in Betway Premiership opener

Reigning Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns got their 2025-26 league campaign off to a less than ideal start on Saturday with a 1-1 draw away at Chippa United.

Chippa remained organized and kept Sundowns honest with a strategy focused around the counter attack at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

As expected, the Brazilians controlled play and dominated possession but the hosts did not make it easy for the opening half hour. A miscommunication on a clearance attempt by the Chippa defense nearly handed a goal to Iqraam Rayners but Sirgio Kammies’ desperate lunge did just enough to keep the game scoreless.

There was no stopping Sundowns forward Arthur Sales a few minutes later, however, when the Brazilian played a quick combination with Tashreeq Matthews. The winger’s return pass was spot on and Sales fired low past Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to make it 1-0 in the 32nd minute.

But Sundowns failed to push on and seize the initiative. A surprisingly restrained second half performance saw the match stall, providing the perfect opportunity for Chippa to snatch a surprise point.

In the 65th minute, substitute Giovanni Philander’s hopeful shot attempt was blocked to the edge of the penalty area right to Khaya Mfecane, whose deflected effort left Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams helpless as he could only watch the ball bounce into his goal. It was notably Chippa’s first goal against Sundowns since January 2023.

Sundowns mustered a great opportunity five minutes later but Nwabali did brilliantly to get a hand to deny Themba Zwane’s effort following a clever backheel by Marcelo Allende.

The champions of the last eight seasons in South Africa’s top flight return to action on Tuesday with their home opener against AmaZulu.