Hope FC make winning start as Magesi FC and Highbury FC also claim victories

Newly promoted Hope FC began their campaign in the Motsepe Foundation Championship with a narrow 1-0 victory over University of Pretoria at Athlone Stadium.

The match took time to settle, but Hope FC took control during the closing stages and secured the points when Tauriq Gamildien converted from the penalty spot after a coming-together in the box.

The result also gave Clayton Daniels a winning start to his coaching career.

Cape Town City, meanwhile, endured a disappointing opening to their second season in the Championship after losing 2-1 to Real Native FC at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Real Native FC, formerly known as Casric Stars, made a slow start and fell behind after Emile Witbooi was fouled in the area. New signing Rai Vloet stepped up to score the resulting penalty and put City in front on the half-hour mark.

The Believers responded immediately, with Siphamandla Mlilo firing in an equaliser. Real Native then completed the turnaround late in the match when Xolani Slwaula converted another penalty after a foul in the box.

Venda Football Academy came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Lerumo Lions at Thohoyandou Stadium.

Lerumo Lions had the better of the first half and former Orlando Pirates youth development striker Mehluleli Maphumulo marked his debut by opening his account for the visitors.

Venda Football Academy improved after the interval and restored parity through Zimbabwean-born former Polokwane City striker Douglas Mapfumo, ensuring the points were shared.

Orbit College’s return to the Championship began with a 1-0 defeat by Leicesterford City on Saturday afternoon.

The Mswenko boys returned to the second tier after spending one season in the Betway Premiership, but were forced to chase the game after Kavendree Makhene put Leicesterford City ahead with a first-half strike.

Orbit College could not produce a response after the break and began their campaign on the back foot following their relegation from the Premiership at the end of last season.

Magesi FC also made a positive return to the Championship, beating Midlands Wanderers 1-0 after a two-year absence from the division.

Dikwena Tsa Meetse made the breakthrough in the 13th minute, with new signing Nyakala Raphadu enjoying a dream debut by scoring his first goal for the club after his arrival during the off-season.

Midlands Wanderers were unable to find an equaliser, allowing the 2024 Carling Knockout champions to mark their return to South African football’s second tier with an important victory.

Highbury FC opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over the Bees, thanks to a brace from Enocent Funani.

The sides attacked from the start and Menzi Madela gave the home team the advantage. Funani levelled before half-time, before completing his double during the latter stages to secure victory for the visitors.

Hungry Lions and Gomora United played out an entertaining 2-2 draw after neither side could find a way to claim all three points.

Di Tau, who fell short in the promotion race again last season, went into the interval level with Gomora United after Tiklas Thutlwa had put the visitors on the scoresheet.

The momentum continued to shift from one end to the other in the second half, with Mokeri Senwamadi scoring for United to force a share of the points on the opening day.

Debutants Northwest University FC were denied a winning start when they drew 1-1 with Upington City at Faine Du Toit Stadium.

Bafana Ba Gucci fell behind after Onkarabile Moswane scored for Upington City, but the visitors rescued a point in the closing moments through Chalake.