Mamelodi Sundowns were made to sweat at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday afternoon, but a late surge inspired by Iqraam Rayners ensured the reigning champions walked away with a 3-1 victory over Sekhukhune United. The win keeps the Brazilians neck and neck with Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership race as the season tightens.
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A tense afternoon in Pretoria
Loftus has become something of a fortress for Sundowns over the years, but Babina Noko arrived determined to disrupt the rhythm, frustrating the champions for long spells. The opening half was a slow burn until Marcelo Allende produced a moment worthy of a highlights reel.
Collecting the ball outside the box in the 31st minute, the Chilean midfielder unleashed a curling strike into the top corner, giving the hosts a deserved lead and sending the Pretoria crowd into full voice.
Read more: Pirates outclass Chiefs in a Soweto Derby performance to remember
Sundowns dominate but fail to finish
Despite controlling possession and dictating play through Teboho Mokoena and Jayden Adams, Sundowns struggled to turn their dominance into goals. Early in the second half, Tashreeq Matthews and Mokoena attempted to stretch the advantage, but Sekhukhune stood firm.
At the opposite end, Vusumusi Mncube showed flashes of danger, even if his finishing couldn’t quite match the ambition. Still, the tension grew as the Brazilians let chance after chance slip by.
Read more: Allende’s late strike pushes Sundowns back to the top
Grobler strikes to shake things up
Football has a funny way of punishing wastefulness, and Bradley Grobler reminded everyone why he remains one of the most reliable strikers in South Africa.
With 20 minutes left, the veteran forward nodded in an equaliser from a free-kick, silencing the home fans and setting up what felt like a nervous finish for Sundowns.
It was a familiar storyline for Babina Noko, who have built a reputation for making life difficult for the giants of the league.
Rayners and Saleng change the script
Just as the pressure mounted, newly signed winger Monnapule Saleng injected the spark Sundowns needed. After replacing Matthews, Saleng wasted no time making his presence felt. In the 81st minute, he whipped in a sharp cross that found Rayners lurking in the box.
The striker finished from close range, restoring the Brazilians’ lead and turning Loftus into a celebration zone.
Rayners was not done. Deep into stoppage time, with Sekhukhune pushing bodies forward, he broke away on the counter and fired home a right-footed strike from outside the box. The goal sealed his brace and confirmed a crucial three points.
A champion’s response
After conceding, Sundowns showed the type of resilience that has defined their dominance over the past decade. Sekhukhune, meanwhile, struggled to respond after going behind again, offering little threat to a well-organised Sundowns backline.
The win means the Brazilians remain level on points with Orlando Pirates, setting up what promises to be one of the most gripping title races in recent seasons.
Final score
Mamelodi Sundowns 3
Allende 31’, Rayners 81’, 90+4
Sekhukhune United 1
Grobler 70’
Read more: Mamelodi Sundowns raise alarm over player welfare amid heavy fixture load
Source: SuperSport
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