Iqraam Rayners seals victory for 10-man Sundowns over AmaZulu

The match, which was largely a defensive battle, saw both teams struggle to break the deadlock until the final moments.

The game started with both teams feeling each other out, with AmaZulu showing early intent through Rowan Human's blocked shot in the opening minutes.

Sundowns, however, came close to scoring first when Lucas Ribeiro Costa's header narrowly missed the target, setting the tone for a game where chances were at a premium.

The first half ended goalless, with Sundowns having the better of the chances, including a header from Rushine De Reuck that clattered off the post. AmaZulu, for their part, had opportunities but lacked the finishing touch, notably with Sede Dion's shot missing the mark.

The second half saw a flurry of substitutions as both coaches looked to inject fresh legs and creativity into their sides. AmaZulu introduced Ethan Brooks in an attempt to spark their attack, but it was Mamelodi Sundowns who capitalized on a set piece.

Sundowns did have goalkeeper Ronwen Williams red-carded in the 58th minute for a blatant hand ball and was replaced by Denis Onyango.

In the 90th minute, Teboho Mokoena delivered a precise cross that found Rayners, who headed home to give Sundowns the 1-0 lead. The goal sparked jubilation among the Sundowns faithful and left AmaZulu with little time to respond.

AmaZulu pushed hard for an equalizer in the added time, with Rowan Human and Hendrick Ekstein both attempting shots that were either blocked or missed.

The pressure continued until the final whistle, with AmaZulu's Ben Motshwari winning a free-kick in the dying seconds, but to no avail.

The match was not without controversy, with several yellow cards handed out, including one to Rayners in the 90+7 minute for a foul. The game also saw moments of tactical fouls and strategic play, with Sundowns' defensive resilience proving crucial in maintaining their lead.

This result sees Mamelodi Sundowns stretch their lead at the top of the Betway Premiership table, accumulating 27 points from 10 games, while AmaZulu remain in 13th place with 9 points from 9 matches.

The victory for Sundowns was a statement of their title ambitions, showcasing their ability to grind out results even when not at their free-flowing best.

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