The Chilean, 59, left Malaga to take over as Roberto Mancini’s successor at the Etihad Stadium last month.u00a0But second-half goals from Mame Niang and Kermit Erasmus ensured that Pellegrini, who fielded a different team in each half in Pretoria, began with a defeat in the Nelson Mandela Invitational match at Loftus Versfeld.

Rooting for madiba: City’s Joe Hart (right) and Vicent Kompany pose with a jersey in homage to former president Nelson Mandela. PIC/AFP