Mamelodi Sundowns dropped points in their 2025/26 Betway Premiership opener against Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Sundowns had the first big chance of the game after 21 minutes when two Chippa defenders obstructed each other in the box and the ball reached Iqraam Rayners, but his toe poke just missed the target.
But it was Arthur Sales, who scored the first goal of 2025/26 for the defending champions after being teed up by Tashreeq Matthews before calmly slotting him with the outside of his boot.
Asanele Bonani was served the ball on a platter after a fast break from Xolani Sithole but his shot went wide of the Sundowns goal.
With Sundowns failing to create too many chances in the second half, Chippa got rewarded for a brave performance when Khaya Mfecane’s shot from inside the box got deflected to find the back of the net for the equaliser.
Stanley Nwabali then denied Themba Zwane a superb goal after the Sundowns captain was set up by a back heel from Marcelo Allende but the Nigeria pushed it over the bar with a fine save in the 70th minute.
Siyabonga Mabena had a later chance to win it for Sundowns after being set up by Zwane with a back heel but the teenager only found the side net.
But in the end, Chippa held on to a deserved draw after a lively encounter in Gqeberha, collecting the first points under new head coach Sinethemba Badela.
