Mamelodi Sundowns edged closer to securing their eighth consecutive South African league title with a 2-0 victory over Cape Town City on Saturday. The win leaves the Pretoria-based club needing just seven points from their remaining four matches to clinch the title.
Second-placed Orlando Pirates are 12 points behind with two matches in hand, after recovering from a second-minute deficit to defeat arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in Johannesburg.
Sundowns took the lead on 34 minutes at Cape Town Stadium when Tashreeq Matthews capitalised on a superb defence-splitting pass from South African international Iqraam Rayners.
The second goal came on 77 minutes, with Rayners again on target after Brazilian Arthur Sales delivered another brilliant assist. Rayners’ close-range strike beat goalkeeper Darren Keet to seal the win.
With 11 goals in the league this season, Rayners is just two behind his teammate Lucas Ribeiro, the Golden Boot leader.
“Both goals were beautiful. I am proud to coach this humble squad of hard-working players,” said Miguel Cardoso, the Portuguese coach of Sundowns.
Despite a gruelling fixture schedule, Sundowns showed no signs of fatigue as they dominated bottom club Cape Town.
After their remaining league fixtures, Sundowns will shift their focus to the CAF Champions League final, where they will face Egyptian club Pyramids in Pretoria on May 24, before travelling to Cairo for the return leg on June 1. Following the Champions League, Sundowns will prepare for the Club World Cup in the United States starting June 14.
In other league action, Makabi Lilepo of the Democratic Republic of Congo stunned Pirates by putting Chiefs ahead in the opening two minutes with a quick shot.
Pirates soon found their rhythm, with Evidence Makgopa equalising in the 24th minute after placing a close-range shot past Chiefs’ goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.
A scrappy Soweto derby, marred by injuries and fouls, was decided on 69 minutes when Relebohile Mofokeng struck a loose ball into the far corner to give Pirates the 2-1 win.
The two clubs will meet again in the South African FA Cup final next Saturday in Durban.
