sportskeeda
Mamelodi Sundowns edged out a determined Stellenbosch side in a tightly contested Betway Premiership match at DHL Stadium on Wednesday.
Iqraam Rayners, who faced his former team, netted the only goal of the encounter in the first half, choosing to forgo celebration in honor of his previous teammates.
This victory allowed Sundowns to leapfrog Orlando Pirates to secure a three-point lead at the summit of the standings, now sitting on 24 points from nine matches (having played one more match than the second-placed Pirates).
The win provided some payback for Sundowns, who had suffered defeats in both legs of the MTN8 semi-final earlier this season under coach Manqoba Mngqithi. This match marked the fifth meeting between both sides this year, with each team having claimed victory twice prior.
Without their star goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who was returning from Morocco, Sundowns faced a tough challenge. Williams had recently been honored as CAF Goalkeeper of the Year and CAF Inter-Club Player of the Year but missed out on the CAF Player of the Year award, which went to Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, announced on Monday.
In Williams’ absence, veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango stepped in for Sundowns.
This match also marked the debut league game for new Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, who had previously led the team to a victory over Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League on Sunday after taking over from Mngqithi the week before.
Sundowns created the game’s first significant opportunity when Lucas Ribeiro Costa delivered a precise pass to Iqraam Rayners, but Sage Stephens made a phenomenal save to deny his former teammate.
Rayners eventually broke the stalemate in the 18th minute, with Kobamelo Kodisang providing a clever assist, allowing Rayners to round Stephens and slot the ball into the empty net. Despite scoring, Rayners refrained from celebrating out of respect for his old team.
Shortly after, Sundowns faced a setback when Marcelo Allende sustained a muscle injury and was replaced by Neo Maema.
However, Sundowns managed to control the rest of the half, with Rayners remaining a constant threat while Costa missed a chance to double the lead, shooting wide.
As halftime approached, Costa had another opportunity to extend Sundowns’ lead but failed to convert from close range.
At the beginning of the second half, Kodisang nearly added a second goal for Sundowns, but his curling effort went wide. Aubrey Modiba also came close, hitting the crossbar with his shot.
Stundowns nearly handed an equalizer to Stellenbosch when Maema’s back pass was intercepted by Jayden Adams, but Onyango made a key save to deny Devin Titus.
Stellenbosch responded by intensifying their attacking efforts, putting pressure on Sundowns. Titus had another chance, but Onyango was once again pivotal with a crucial save.
In the closing stages, Sanele Barns’ cross just eluded Titus, but Onyango was alert to the situation.
Ultimately, Sundowns remained steadfast to clinch the victory and establish a three-point lead at the top of the Betway Premiership standings.
