Champions! Iqraam Rayners and brace-hero Arthur Sales fire Mamelodi Sundowns past Chippa United to win a record extending Premier Soccer League title

Mamelodi Sundowns are the Premier Soccer League champions for the eighth time in a row.

Sundowns managed to defend the title after beating Chippa United 3-0 in a league match held at the Buffalo City Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Brazilians, who only needed a point to be crowned champions again, scored the vital goals through Iqraam Rayners and Arthur Sales.

Meanwhile, Rayners broke the deadlock for Sundowns in the 11th minute when he created some shooting space in a rather crowded area and planted the ball into the net with power and precision.

Chippa goalkeeper Darren Johnson was alert to deny Lucas Ribeiro, who fired a ferocious shot in the 21st minute. The Sundowns forward tried to catch the goalkeeper off guard, but the home side custodian was alert enough to make the save.

Johnson had to come out of his zone to make another crucial stop, this time around denying Rayners, who was making a dangerous run towards the Chippa penalty box in the 31st minute.

Rayners thought he had scored his 15th goal of the season, but he was denied by the offside flag in the 57th minute. Johnson, who a few moments before had made a save to deny Ribeiro, was decisively beaten, only for the goal to be overruled because of offside.

Within five minutes after the introduction, Sales scored to double Sundowns' lead in the 69th minute. Johnson was caught off guard as the Brazilian fired into the net from a tight angle for his seventh goal of the season.

Sales registered his brace in the 89th minute. Johnson tried to clear a dangerous ball, only for him to put the ball on the path of the Brazilian, who slotted past him to score the third goal.

The win took Sundowns' points tally to 70, while the Chilli Boys remain eighth with 30 points.

Rayners continues to prove why he was highly sought by the Tshwane giants, given the frequency with which he is scoring.

The former SuperSport United star has found the back of the net in four straight games against Chippa, Stellenbosch, Cape Town City, and Richards Bay. His goal against the Chilli Boys meant he equalled Ribeiro's league tally, as they now have 14 in the season.

This means the race for the Golden Boot award has tightened.

Johnson made big saves to keep the Sundowns attackers at bay. He stopped lethal Rayners and hardworking Ribeiro, and being on the losing side is quite unfortunate.

He also fumbled and gave Sales a good opportunity to score late in the second half.

Given that they have sealed the league race, Sundowns' focus is now on the Caf Champions League campaign.

The Brazilians will host Pyramids on May 24 for the first leg in Pretoria before the second leg on June 1. However, before then, they will need to battle Magesi FC in their final PSL game.

For the Chilli Boys, they will be hosted by Marumo Gallants on May 17.