Iqraam Rayners’ first half goal and Arthur Sales second half brace ensured that Mamelodi Sundowns secured their eighth successive league title when they defeated Chippa United 3-0 in Buffalo City on Wednesday evening.
The champions came into the game needing a point to lift the title, however did it in style with 70 points, a game to spare and a record 63 goals.
Coach Miguel Cardoso made five changes to side that defeated Stellenbosch last Sunday with Ronwen Williams among the faces that returned to the starting 11. Darren Johnson also started for the home side in goals as Stanley Nwabali was out with a shoulder injury
Rayners had early chance to put the visitors ahead just after the first whistle but his effort went wide. It was in the 11th minute when Lucas Ribeiro set-up the former Stellenbosch striker to slot home the opener with his 14th goal of the season – equalling the Brazilian’s tally at the top of the top goal scorer charts.
Sundowns kept momentum looking to double the lead, however missed chances through Tashreeq Mathews in the 29th minute. Johnson also did well to deny Ribeiro in the 21st minute while he also came out to deny Rayners his second of the game just after the half hour mark. Chippa has a slim shot at goal through Giovanni Philander in the 25th minute as he hit the side of the net.
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Both sides returned unchanged for the second stanza and Chippa almost got an equaliser two minutes in. The Chilli boys won a corner-kick Philander sent it into the box where it found Malebogo Modise whose effort was blocked by Mokoena.
Sundowns missed a golden chance to get a cushion goal eight minutes later however had Ribeiro’s ball cleared off the line while Rayners saw his second goal disallowed three minutes to the hour mark.
Sales was brought in for Rayners in the 64th minute and he sealed the deal for Sundowns when he scored a beauty from a tight angle in the 69th minute. He wasn’t done as he capitalised from a bad Johnson clearance in injury time to complete his brace and wrap up the championship in style.
Meanwhile, Chippa United remained in eighth position on the log with 30 points with one game left to play.
