Miguel Cardoso got off to a winning start in his first Betway Premiership assignment with Mamelodi Sundowns this week, as Iqraam Rayners scored the only goal in a tense 1-0 win against Stellenbosch FC at the DHL Stadium on Wednesday night.
in what was a chess match throughout the 90 minutes, it was Cardoso who eventually came out on tops in the Mother City.
As fate would have it, former Stellenbosch star Rayners sunk his former side with a calmly taken effort in the 18th minute.
2/2 wins for new coach Miguel Cardoso ✅
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 18, 2024
Sundowns conquer Stellies in the league for the 8th time⚽#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/fcCxdsoLM1
Supporters at the DHL Stadium were thoroughly entertained with the football played inside the first 10 minutes of the match, with both sides showcasing their eagerness at getting ahead on the scoresheet. With very little to separate the two sides early on, Sundowns edged the home side to the possession count by fine margins.
While Stellies grew into the game after the first quarter, it was Sundowns who took the lead moments before the 20th minute mark as Rayners added his name to the scoresheet. After being played through on goal by Kobamelo Kodisang, the former Stellenbosch striker rounded Saige Stephens inside the area before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Composure 😎
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 18, 2024
Of course Iqraam Rayners opens the Sundowns account 🤌
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc @Betway_za pic.twitter.com/gyZ9Y8dlh4
While Rayners was reluctant to celebrate against his ex-colleagues, the rest of his teammates were relentless in their pursuit of a second goal. The likes of Kodisang and Lucas Costa created havoc going forward and pushed the Stellies defence back on numerous occasions.
Nevertheless, the score remained at 1-0 in favour of Sundowns as the referee called time on the first 45.
It was more of the same for Sundowns after the restart as Miguel Cardoso’s side actively searched for their second goal during the first 10 minutes of the second-half. However, as the hosts sat tight, Downs kept probing away inside the opposition half.
Steve Barker's troops grew into the game around the hour-mark but were often met with aggressive defending by the reigning league champions.
The game reached a tacky period with around 80 minutes on the clock with neither side doing any real damage from an attacking point of view, despite ringing in the changes.
In the end Sundowns saw out the game with their 1-0 lead intact as the Brazilians extended their unbeaten streak in the league to four matches.
Stellenbosch FC: (0) 0
Mamelodi Sundowns: (1) 1 (Rayners 18’)
STELLENBOSCH FC: Stephens, Moloisane, Mdaka (Barns 61’), Mcaba, Basadien, Adams, Palace (Butsaka 61’), Nduli, Godswill (Jurgens 46’), de Jong (Cupido 61’), Titus (Lekoloane 82’)
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS: Onyango, Khoza, De Reuck (Mudau 86’), Lunga, Modiba, Allende (Maema 21’, Mkhulise 86’), Aubaas, Morena, Kodisang (Letlhaku 76’), Rayners, Costa (Shalulile 76’)