Mamelodi Sundowns started their Betway Premiership campaign with a 1-1 draw against Chippa United on Saturday afternoon.
Masandawana gave new signing Fawaaz Basadien his first start, while the Chilli Boys handed Khaya Mfecane a first-team debut.
Sundowns didn’t have it all their way in the early stages, as they battled to break the high-defensive line of the Chilli Boys.
Although, the visitors' persistence paid on the half-hour mark when Tashreeq Matthws skipped past one challenge on the edge of the area and played in Arthur Sales to slot into the bottom corner.
Chippa were inches to the equaliser as an in-swinging corner-kick from Azola Matrose flew across the face of goal with Ronwen Williams in some bother.
The Chilli Boys got a clearer chance minutes to halftime when Asanele Bonani blazed over from the far post of the six-yard box after a cutback from Xolani Sithole.
Basadien didn not come out for the second period and was replaced by Zuko Mdunyelwa as Cardoso's first substitution.
Masandawana’s lead was cancelled out in the 66th minute as Mfecane pounced onto a loose ball on the edge of the area and fired past Williams via a big deflection.
Talisman Themba Zwane, who came off the bench, nearly restored their lead five minutes later with a curling effort from the near side, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali palmed over.
Sundowns continued to probe and once again missed target when starlet Siyabonga Mabena fired into the side-netting from a tight angle after combining with Zwane, as Chippa were able to hold out for the draw against the Champions.
Confirmed line-ups:
Chippa United: Nwabali, Kammies, Ndlovu, Konqobe, Modise, Seabi, Mosele, Bonani, Matrose, Mfecane, Sithole
Subs: Sithole, Ramotsei, Mini, Mashele, Tshobeni, Philander, Magwaza, Peters, Madingwana
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Kekana, Lebusa, Basadien, Mokoena, Allende, Modiba, Matthews, Adams, Sales, Rayners
Subs: Onyango, Cupido, Mdunyelwa, Lunga, Aubaas, Zwane, Mabena, Letlhaku, Shalulile