A brace from Iqraam Rayners and a Marcelo Allende stunner secured the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns a 3-1 win against Sekhukhune United in a Betway Premiership clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, on Sunday.
With the win, Sundowns moved to 41 points, pulling level with Orlando Pirates at the summit, though the Buccaneers retain top spot courtesy of a superior goal difference. The path to glory now spans just 12 remaining fixtures for both contenders, promising a captivating photo-finish as the campaign nears its climax.
Allende broke the deadlock for the hosts in the 31st minute, but the visitors clawed their way back with 20 minutes remaining courtesy of a Bradley Grobler equaliser. However, the momentum swung back to the Brazilians as super-sub Iqraam Rayners struck twice in quick succession to secure the points—the first of his brace expertly teed up by debutant Monnapule Saleng.
Masandawana entered the fray desperate to bridge the gap to arch-rivals Pirates, who had ascended to the Betway Premiership summit following a commanding 3-0 Soweto Derby triumph over Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
The Brazilians signalled their intent as early as the fifth minute when Teboho Mokoena’s teasing delivery found Jayden Adams, though the midfielder’s header failed to test the keeper. Allende then squandered a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 16th minute; after being picked out unmarked by Khuliso Mudau, the Chilean uncharacteristically blazed his effort over the woodwork with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Sundowns’ persistence eventually forced an error four minutes later. A fizzing cross from Aubrey Modiba caused havoc in the area, leading Sekhukhune United skipper Daniel Cardoso to inadvertently turn the ball into his own net while attempting to clear the danger.
MARCELO ALLENDE SCORE A STUNNER TO GIVE MAMELODI SUNDOWNS MAXIMUM POINTS
Sekhukhune shot-stopper Toaster Nsabata was undoubtedly the busier of the two keepers, producing a string of fine saves to keep the Babina Noko in the contest. At the other end, the Limpopo-based outfit looked dangerous on the break, with Shaune Mogaila drawing a sharp save from Ronwen Williams at the half-hour mark as the visitors searched for a way back into the game.
A minute later, Allende opened the scoring for the home side with a stunning curler to beat a helpless Nsabata. In-form striker Brayan Leon could have made it two for Sundowns 10 minutes before the half-time break, but was wasteful in front of goals.
Both clubs made a few changes in the second half, with veteran midfielder Themba Zwane coming in for Teboho Mokoena, while Nuno Santos came in for Arthur Sales.
Sekhukhune also made changes, with Amede Diomande coming in for Lesiba Nku, Ngoanamello Rammala for Shaune Mogaila, and Tshepo Mokoane coming in for Vusumuzi Mncube.
Aubrey Modiba could have easily made it two in the 64th minute, but his shot inside the 18-area box went over the bar.
The visitors also pushed for an equaliser and were eventually rewarded after veteran striker Grobler capitalised on a header unmarked inside the 18-yard box.
However, Sundowns were not done as late substitutes, Iqraam Rayners and debutant Monnapule Saleng combined to restore the lead for the home side.
FIVE IN A ROW: GALLANTS’ FREEFALL CONTINUES AS DURBAN CITY LEAPFROG CHIEFS
In a simultaneous Sunday afternoon encounter just a stone’s throw from Loftus at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium, Durban City FC fortified their top-four credentials by grinding out a slender 1-0 victory over a struggling Marumo Gallants.
The tie’s definitive moment materialised a mere sixty seconds into the second period. Saziso Magawana emerged as the match-winner, ghosting into the heart of the area to dispatch a clinical left-footed effort into the roof of the net. The goal was engineered by a pinpoint delivery from Kyle Jurgens, whose vision caught the Gallants’ rearguard flat-footed.
That lone strike proved sufficient for the visitors to pocket maximum points on their travels, sparking a significant shake-up in the Betway Premiership standings. The result catapults Durban City FC above Kaizer Chiefs into third place with 31 points. While they now hold a one-point advantage over Amakhosi, the Soweto giants retain the luxury of two games in hand.
Conversely, the defeat amplifies the alarm bells for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, marking a dismal fifth consecutive loss. Languishing in 14th position, Gallants remain perilously tethered to the drop zone, sitting just three points clear of basement-dwellers Magesi FC in the automatic relegation slot.
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