PRETORIA - Iqraam Rayners and Antonio van Wyk scored their first South African Premiership goals of the season to give Mamelodi Sundowns a 2-0 home win over promoted Milford on Wednesday.
Victory in Pretoria lifted the record 15-time champions to 13 points, the same number as leaders Orlando Pirates, who remain first on goal difference.
Sundowns needed a five-goal victory to overtake defending champions Pirates on goal difference, but that never seemed likely against the well-organised newcomers.
Rayners struck two minutes into added time at the end of the opening half to give CAF Champions League title-holders Sundowns a fortunate 1-0 half-time advantage.
Milford had matched Sundowns and believed Vusumuzi Mthabela was fouled by Aubrey Modiba, whose cross was poked into the net at the second attempt by South Africa striker Rayners.
After a fluid first half, with both teams displaying good ball retention, the match deteriorated into a scrappy, foul-ridden affair. Sundowns were shown three yellow cards and Milford two.
One of the Milford cautions could have been a red card instead, as Cebolenkosi Mthethwa struck Chilean Marcelo Allende in the face.
Van Wyk, a recent signing from Austrian club SV Ried, ensured Sundowns secured maximum points by running on to a smart pass in the 76th minute and firing across goalkeeper Siphamandla Hleba.
- AFP