Supersport United Beat Maritzburg United in the Nedbank Cup, Iqraam Rayners Secures Victory With Super Strike

• Supersport United booked their place in the next round of the Nedbank Cup after beating Maritzburg United
• Supersport United secured the victory thanks to a stunning strike in the 88th minute by Iqraam Rayners
• Supersport United will meet Maritzburg United next week when the two teams play again in the DStv Premiership

Supersport United’s post-Mokoena era got off to a winning start as they beat Maritzburg United in the Nedbank Cup thanks to a super striker by Iqraam Rayners.

Supersport went into the encounter without Teboho Mokoena who joined Mamelodi Sundowns and without their star strikers. Both Bradley Grobler and Thamsanqa Gabuza were injured and therefore not available for the round of 32 game.

Despite the absence of their stars, Supersport United looked the more threatening side for most of the game, with Iqraam Rayners showing real potential. The Supersport United striker came closest to opening the scoring in the 15th minute but Marcel Engelhardt denied him with an outstretched hand.

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Supersport United continued to apply pressure in the first half but had nothing to show for it.

Daylon Claasen had the best chance to put Maritzburg United ahead but his long-range shot was smartly turned away from the goal by Ronwen Williams. The Bafana and Supersport United keeper had very little to do in the first half and that trend continued in the second.

Maritzburg United had a bit more possession in the second half than they did in the first, but couldn’t capitalise either. With the game heading towards extra time.

Rayners scored a beautiful individual goal. Supersport launched a counter-attack, setting Rayners free just past the halfway line. The forward ran the Maritzburg United defenders, turning two of the inside out as he picked out the right-hand corner of the net with a pinpoint shot in the 88th minute. Engelhardt had no chance of stopping the shot and Supersport United hung on to the lead to claim victory.

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Supersport United went into the game with a good record against their opposition. Maritzburg United had never beaten them in a cup competition and Supersport had won the last three meetings between the two sides, in all competitions.

The two sides will next meet on Tuesday, 15 February, in the DStv Premiership.

Mamelodi Sundowns down Richards Bay in the Nedbank Cup, score 4 to book their place in the next round

It’s no surprise that Mamelodi Sundowns beat Richards Bay in their Nedbank Cup clash but it was a surprise who scored. Surprise Ralani marked his Sundowns debut with a goal as the Brazilians cruised to a 4-0 win over their GladAfrica Championship opponents, Sports Brief reported.

Richards Bay started the much better side as the Rich Boys had more possession of the ball. The DStv Premiership defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns didn’t seem to settle at all in the early stages of the first half.

Richards Bay couldn’t capitalize on their few counter-attacks and was punished for it in the 25th minute when Surprise Ralani scored. Richards Bay keeper Malcolm Jacobs punched away a cross straight into the path of Ralani who put the ball away.