Newcomer Rayners scores as Sundowns sink Kaizer Chiefs

View of an irrigation system on a farm. AFP/Nelson Almeida
JOHANNESBURG – Newcomer Iqraam Rayners scored the winner as Mamelodi Sundowns came from behind to beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 on Saturday in the first high-profile Premiership match of the season.
Ranga Chivaviro put Chiefs ahead at home in Johannesburg on nine minutes and Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro levelled just past the half-hour mark.
Rayners, a South African international forward and close-season signing from fellow top-flight outfit Stellenbosch, netted the decisive goal after 37 minutes.
Chiefs are the most successful team in domestic competitions with 53 trophies since the club was formed by current owner Kaizer Motaung in 1970.
But the past nine seasons have been disastrous, as they failed to win either the Premiership or any of the three annual knockout competitions.
Unable to reach an agreement with Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi to take over last year, Chiefs relented for this season and agreed to his demand that he bring his own assistants.
Chiefs won their first two league games of this campaign on the road, raising hopes of a revival. So many expectant supporters turned up that the kick-off had to be delayed 30 minutes.
But the 60,000 crowd discovered that there is no easy path to the top as Sundowns, seeking an eighth straight league title, dominated possession to emerge worthy winners.
An international window and cup ties mean Chiefs will not resume their league schedule until October 26, giving Nabi time to work with a side he says is “under construction”.
The Tunisian will, at least, be happy that he avoided a repeat of the corresponding fixture last season when Sundowns humiliated Chiefs 5-1 at the Soccer City stadium.
Leaders Sundowns and third-placed Orlando Pirates, who play at Richards Bay on Sunday, are the only clubs with 100 percent records.