Rayners scores for leaders Sundowns against old club Stellenbosch
The South African international forward struck after 18 minutes by going past goalkeeper Sage Stephens and scoring with a shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
Mamelodi Sundowns beat Stellenbosch FC in their Betway Premiership match on 18 December 2024. Picture: @StellenboschFC/X
JOHANNESBURG - Iqraam Rayners scored against former club Stellenbosch to earn Mamelodi Sundowns a 1-0 win in Cape Town on Wednesday, and a three-point lead in the South African Premiership.
The South African international forward struck after 18 minutes by going past goalkeeper Sage Stephens and scoring with a shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
It was Rayners' fifth Premiership goal of the campaign, taking him to top spot with one more than teammate Lucas Ribeiro and Orlando Pirates' Evidence Makgopa.
Victory lifted Sundowns to 24 points from nine matches, three ahead of Pirates, who have played one fixture less. Stellenbosch remained fourth, nine points behind the leaders.
Sundowns, playing their first domestic match under new Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso, dominated the first half and would not have been flattered by a bigger lead.
Stellenbosch were much improved after half-time only to be foiled by several excellent saves from 39-year-old goalkeeper Denis Onyango.
The Ugandan was deputising for Ronwen Williams, who won the 2024 best goalkeeper and best club player awards at a Confederation of African Football ceremony in Morocco on Monday.