Mamelodi Sundowns are chasing their seventh consecutive DStv Premiership title
Peter Shalulile grabbed the season's opening goal as he scored from the penalty spot
Ghana’s Edwin Gyimah was guilty of giving away the penalty which Shalulile scored

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Mamelodi Sundowns are off the mark in the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season.

It took the Brazilians just 11 minutes to get on the scoresheet, as they kicked off their title defence against Sekhukhune United.

Having won six titles in a row already, Sundowns were taking no prisoners as they chased a seventh consecutive league title.

Peter Shalulile celebrates scoring. — Peter Shalulile grabbed the first goal of the 2023/24 season as he netted from the penalty spot for Mamelodi Sundowns. Image: @iDiskiTimes.
Source: Twitter

Masandanwana’s talismanic striker Peter Shalulile grabbed the season’s opening goal as he scored from the penalty spot.

The defending champions were awarded the spot kick when Ghana’s Edwin Gyimah inexplicably handled the ball in the box.

Gyimah, who had Themba Zwane pressuring him from behind, appeared to lose concentration and swiped the ball away with his hand in the box. The player had no defence and didn’t try to argue with the referee’s decision.

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Shalulile, who finished as the joint-top scorer last season, stepped up and cooly slotted the penalty away.

The goal helped calm the nerves of the defending champions who had a shaky moment at the back early on in the game. Rownen Williams, who generally is a rock in defence for the Brazilians, tried to play out from the back and gave the ball away instead.

Williams was also outside his box at the time. Thankfully for Sundowns, Sekhukhune could not capitalise on the mistake.

Sundowns continued to pile on the pressure after the goal and were unlucky not to end the half with more than the solitary score, despite having an extra player for the majority of the half.