Mamelodi Sundowns moved closer to securing the Betway Premiership title with a 3-0 victory over Chippa United at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Iqraam Rayners, Jayden Adams and Thapelo Maseko were on the scoresheet for the league champions. Miguel Cardoso’s side needs four points now to seal the title.
Cardoso made a change in goal, taking off Ronwen Williams and starting with Denis Onyango. He also replaced Grant Kekana, Thapelo Morena and Lucas Ribeiro with Malibongwe Khoza, Jayden Adams and Khuliso Mudau.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape outfit made three changes with Sonwabo Khumalo, Thabang Molaoa, Bienvenu Eva Nga starting in places of Sirgio Kammies, Justice Chabalala and Malebogo Modise.
As expected, the hosts dominated the opening exchanges of the first-half, pushing to open the scoring during this critical stage. Their efforts saw Teboho Mokoena unleash a thumping shot from outside the box in the 12th minute, which Stanley Nwabali saved with ease.
The Chilli Boys appeared to be using low-block tactics, aiming to hit the Brazilians on the counter-attack whenever they regained possession.
RAYNERS SCORED HIS 12TH LEAGUE GOAL OF THE SEASON
The breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute when the prolific Masandawana striker Iqraam Rayners notched his 12th league goal, breaking the deadlock. The Tshwane giants maintained their stranglehold on the game, carving open the visitors’ defence.
In the 40th minute, Sundowns went two goals up as Jayden Adams reacted quickly to pounce on the loose ball following a blunder from Super Eagles goalkeeper Nwabali.
Both coaches made changes at the start of the second-half. Cardoso took off Marcelo Allende for Sphelele Mkhulise while Thabo September brought on Giovanni Philander and Azola Matrose for Boy Madingwane and Eva Nga.
Chippa began the second stanza with confidence, applying pressure on the league’s defending champions in the early stages. In the 56th minute, they had a golden opportunity to score, but Craig Martin squandered a glorious chance gifted to him by a Denis Onyango error.
Masandawana regained their control in the match, dominating possession but generating minimal goalmouth action. Substitute Lucas Ribeiro had a glorious chance to add a third goal in the 73rd minute, finding himself one-on-one with Nwabali, but his shot went straight to the goalkeeper.
In the 81st minute, Thapelo Maseko netted another goal for Bafana Ba Style, following an assist from Arthur Sales.
Sundowns are next in action against Stellenbosch FC on Sunday, 11 May at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
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