Mamelodi Sundowns moved three points clear at the top of the Betway Premiership with a 1-0 win over Stellenbosch on Wednesday.
In-form Brazilians’ striker Iqraam Rayners scored the only goal of an entertaining game at the Cape Town Stadium on 18 minutes.
Despite just the one goal, the table toppers were impressive in new head coach Miguel Cardoso’s first league game in charge, especially in the first half, and may have won by more,
But Stellenbosch also proved their tenacity with a far stronger showing after the break and were thwarted by stand-in Sundowns stopper Denis Onyango on more than one occasion.
The first opportunity of the tie, meanwhle, fell to Downs defender Malibongwe Khoza in the tenth minute, after a short corner routine and a deft ball into the box from Marcelo Allende, that the tall centre-back headed over the target.
Rayners was then played through on goal with a superb ball through the Stellies defence from Allende, but his shot across goal was well pushed away by Stellenbosch goalkeeper and captain Sage Stephans.
Stellies looked to break forward at the other end of the pitch through Devin Titus, but despite a deft pass to Andre De Jong, the striker dallied on the ball and could only get a scuffed shot away.
But Rayners made no mistake with his second chance of the game, as he picked up a neat pass from Kobamelo Kodisang before touching the ball around an onrushing Stephens and lashing into an empty net from left of the target.
Sundowns were then dealt a blow with an injury to Allende on 20 minutes, with the player replaced by Neo Maema.
But there was no slowing down the Brazilians’ attack, with Stephens off his line to deny Kodisang from stealing in for a second goal on 24 minutes before Rayners was presented with another chance to hit the target on 26 minutes, only to fire into the stands under pressure.
Ribeiro thought he had scored with 38 minutes on the clock with a curling effort from close range – after a super run and touch took him past his man and Stephens – but the ball ultimately curled past the right hand upright.
Thabo Moloisane got a header on target at the other end but his effort lacked the power to beat Onyango in the Sundowns goal.
Costa was in again in first half stoppage time with Stephens too quickly off his line this time, but the Brazilian curled the ball around the left post with the goal at his mercy.
Kodisang bent a shot wide of the target as Sundowns started the second period looking to quickly add to their tally.
Aubrey Modiba was unlucky to see a 52nd minute shot come back off the crossbar after a surging run from Bathusi Aubaas and neat lay up from Kodisang.
Both goalkeepers were called into action in quick succession ahead of the hour mark as first Stephems denied Kodiseng with a brave stop after some more good Brazilians’ build-up play, before Onyango was well placed to stop De Jong from heading in from six yards following a fast break forward.
Onyango then kept out Titus at his near post after a rare mistake in the Sundowns defence allowed Omega Mdaka to pick up the ball and make the pass.
There was some panic in the Sundowns box on 66 minutes after the defence failed to clear a bouncing ball, but both Titus and Fawaaz Basadien saw their shots blocked.
Reushin De Reuck was on target with a header from a 79th minute corner that Stephens kept out, just moments before Onysngo was forced to tip clear a close range effort from Titus that came off the players’ shoulder.
Then some excellent defending from Moloisane stopped Sundowns substitute Peter Shalulile from an easy finish as he raced back to win the ball in front of the poles.
There were half chances for both sides as the match drew to a close but Stellies could ultimately not find a way past Onyango and Man of the Match Divine Lunga as the Brazilians earned themselves some breathing space ahead of facing AmaZulu in their next clash, as Stellenbosch take on SuperSport United.