JOHANNESBURG - South African striker Iqraam Rayners scored twice as Mamelodi Sundowns won 4-1 at Richards Bay on Tuesday to retain a one-point Premiership lead.
Second-placed Orlando Pirates were equally convincing winners, beating TS Galaxy 3-0 in Soweto, where another national squad striker, Tshepang Moremi, notched his fourth league goal this season.
AmaZulu stayed third, four points behind Sundowns, by edging Durban City 2-1 in a local derby and Kaizer Chiefs lie fourth after a 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch in Johannesburg.
Despite being among the most consistent scorers in domestic competitions for several seasons, Rayners often starts on the bench with Colombian Brayan Leon the preferred first choice.
But with Leon rested, Rayners took his chance to impress Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso, heading Sundowns in front for the second time on 37 minutes.
The 30-year-old struck again just three minutes into the second half, and a volley from full-back Fawaaz Basadien completed the scoring in the 59th minute.
Midfielder Tashreeq Matthews had put Sundowns ahead after 18 minutes with a low shot and defender Lwandile Mabuya pounced on a rebound soon after to equalise.
Pirates recovered from losing a knockout competition final against Sundowns last Saturday to dominate lowly Galaxy. Boitumelo Radiopane and Simphiwe Masilela also scored for the winners.
Chiefs, seeking a first league title since 2015, drew for the fifth time in eight matches and trail Sundowns by nine points.
Both goals came in the second half with Sinoxolo Kwayiba giving Stellenbosch a 48th-minute lead that Mduduzi Shabalala cancelled 10 minutes later.
- AFP