Fiery Chippa hold Downs

First home game and first match of the season at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium between Chippa and Sundowns. (Werner Hills)

This was not the statement performance Mamelodi Sundowns wanted but a glimpse into the brave new world of Chippa United.

Given the way they won the championship title last season and performed at the Fifa Club World Cup, Sundowns fans expected a powerful start — but they came unstuck against an organised Chippa who simply refused to be rolled over.

Downs settled for a share of the spoils after Khaya Mfecane cancelled out an early goal by Arthur Sales in an exciting Betway Premiership match played in front of a lively crowd at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Gqeberha.

The major takeout for Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is that he must find the solution at right-back while Khuliso Mudau and Thapelo Morena are not available.

It also remains to be seen if the unavailability of attackers Lucas Ribeiro, who was not in the matchday squad, and Peter Shalulile, who was an unused substitute, will affect them.

For Chippa coach Sinethemba Badela, he presented a glimpse into the future as his team played enterprising football and showed no respect for the much-fancied Brazilians.

For most of the match, Sundowns dominated in all facets, but the most important fact is they started the campaign with a point against the defending champions.

What lies ahead for the Chilli Boys is consistency and playing well against the so-called small teams, and that is going to be tested on Tuesday when they visit newly-promoted Durban City at Chatsworth Stadium in Durban.

Sundowns return to action on the same day against AmaZulu at Loftus, where they will be looking for their first win of the season in what is going to be a busy month.

Cardoso made three changes to the team that convincingly beat Richards Bay during the quarterfinal stage of the MTN8 last weekend, with Mosa Lebusa ahead of Keanu Cupido and Fawaaz Basadien in place of Zuko Mdunyelwa.

In the midfield, Jayden Adams replaced captain Themba Zwane.

With these changes, Basadien made his first start for the Brazilians since he joined from Stellenbosch FC while Shalulile — who is rumoured to be on his way out — started on the bench.

Still missing for Sundowns were defender Mudau and Ribeiro — the reigning Footballer and Player’s Player of the Season — both also believed to be heading for the exit.

On the other hand, Badela, one of the youngest coaches in the league, showed his hand in his first match for the club as he decided on a good balance of youth and experience. For experience, he chose Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Ayabulela Konqobe and Sirgio Kammies, and in the midfield he opted for Mfecane, Goodman Mosele and Sammy Seabi.

United Chippa did not miss Sinoxolo Kwayiba, who has joined Orlando Pirates, and will be boosted by the availability of teammate Malian midfielder Abdoulaye Mariko, who is still waiting for his work permit.

Badela will be excited by the performances of debutants Mfecane, who was named the manoof the match, and 19-year-old Asanele Bonani, who proved to be a handful for defenders Lebusa, Grant Kekana and Aubrey Modiba.

Sundowns opened the lead just after the half hour mark when Sales put the ball past Nwabali with the outside of the boot after he received the ball from Tashreeq Matthews. The goal sparked urgency in the hosts, and they nearly drew level after 36 minutes when they caught Downs on the counter-attack, with Xolani Sithole releasing Bonani, who ballooned the ball over the crossbar.

Chippa equalised after the hour mark when Mfecane benefited from a ball that deflected off Matthews before he unleashed a shot that beat Downs keeper Ronwen Williams.

A few minutes later, Nwabali produced a stunning save to deny Zwane from close range as Sundowns pressed to re-establish their lead but Chippa stood firm to earn a vital point at home.