Mamelodi Sundowns lost 2-1 to German third division side SV Sandhausen 1916 in a pre-season friendly encounter on Tuesday.
The Brazilians were in action for the first time since their Nedbank Cup final defeat to Orlando Pirates at the end of last season.
This was their first game without former head coach Rulani Mokwena and went down to goals from Tim Maciejewski after 33 minutes of play and Dominic Baumann on 70 minutes, either side of a well-taken strike from Tashreeq Matthews, at Stadion Jenbach.
While Downs were crowned DStv Premiership champions again last season, their German opponents finished in eighth place in Bundesliga 3.
Sundowns are next in friendly action against 19-time Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday before facing Cardiff City next Tuesday.
First run out in our new kit ✅
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) July 17, 2024
Pre-season action continues this evening as we take Dynamo Kyiv! 👆#Sundowns pic.twitter.com/jzlOTgRPsh
