Mamelodi Sundowns made a strong start to the 2024/25 DStv Diski Challenge season, trouncing Richards Bay 3-0 in the opening festival at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.

Thulani Zandamela scored a brace, while Onele Rulwana added another goal to secure the victory for Sundowns. All three goals came in the first half, with Rulwana continuing to be a menace to the Bay defense throughout the match.

David Notoane, who replaced Sinethemba Badela as the Sundowns coach, led the team to victory. Badela had left the club at the end of the previous season to join Wydad Casablanca, following in the footsteps of former head coach Rulani Mokwena.

Notoane is no stranger to the DStv Diski Challenge, having previously won the title with Sundowns in the 2016/17 season.

In the other opening-day match, Orlando Pirates were held to a goalless draw by AmaZulu. Vusi Vilakazi, who helped Richards Bay avoid relegation last season, is now the coach of the AmaZulu reserve team.

The DStv Diski Challenge celebrated its 10th anniversary this season, with the AmaZulu-Pirates match marking the first game of the competition ten years ago at the same venue.