SuperSport United have handed Mamelodi Sundowns their second defeat of the 2022/23 DStv Premiership campaign, beating them 2-1 in the Tshwane derby.
The speed of Iqraam Rayners proved difficult to handle for Sundowns as the defending champions lost 2-1 to city rivals SuperSport United in a DStv Premiership match at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday night.
Rayners ran Sundowns ruggedly to create both goals. He signaled his intention early with a brilliant turn with a stinging shot but the ball was straight to Ronwen Williams to make a comfortable save.
However, Sundowns had the better of the chances, with Marcelo Allende combining with Abubeker Nasir, but George Chigova produced a brilliant save to tap the ball away to deny the latter.
Allende and Nasir, who have scored twice each for Sundowns so far, were starting for the defending champions for the first time this season.
However, Rayners took over the game for SuperSport with two key assists. Thapelo Maseko was the first beneficiary, sneaking in between the visitor’s defense to tap the opener in the ninth minute.
For the second goal, Rayners lost his marker, delivering a pin-point cross for Bradley Grobler, whose knock down header beat Williams at the far post, in the referee’s optional time in the first half.
Sundowns made three quick changes in the 60th minute of Themba Zwane, Sipho Mbule and Surprise Ralani, replacing Teboh Mokoena, Allende and Neo Maema.
They also threw in Aubrey Modiba five minutes for Lyle Lakay, looking to get back into the game but it was not to be. Nasir pulled one back with the last kick of the game but it was a little too late for the visitors.
SuperSport beat Sundowns for the first time since April 2019 It was also great revenge for SuperSport, who lost 2-0 to Sundowns in the MTN8 quarter finals last weekend.
For Sundowns, this is their second defeat of the season, having lost to TS Galaxy previously. For SuperSport, it was their second league win this season, with the first coming away against newly promoted side Richards Bay FC.
