Rayners brace brings Sundowns level with leaders Pirates

Sundowns

Johannesburg –  Iqraam Rayners came off the bench to score twice for Mamelodi Sundowns in a 3-1 win over Sekhukhune United on Sunday that brought them level with South African Premiership leaders Orlando Pirares.

The top two both have 41 points from 18 matches with Pirates occupying first place because they have a plus-22 goal difference and Sundowns a plus-21.Chilean Marcelo Allende gave Sundowns, chasing a ninth consecutive league title, a half-time lead with a shot into the roof of the net on 31 minutes from outside the box.

Bradley Grobler, the 38-year-old star of third-placed Sekhukhune, levelled after 70 minutes with a far-post header in Pretoria. It was his eighth league goal this season.

South African international Rayners then stole the show, putting Sundowns ahead again on 81 minutes and clinching the three points with an added-time goal.

Sundowns have won the championship each season since 2018 while Pirates won the last of four titles in 2012.

Durban City climbed two places to fourth, 10 points behind the leaders, with a 1-0 win at struggling Marumo Gallants.

Gallants, winners of only one of their last 17 Premiership matches, fell behind just after half-time when Saziso Magawana netted.

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