Mamelodi Sundowns made it six wins in a row in the Betway Premiership when they claimed a 2-0 victory over Richards Bay at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The victory saw Masandawana open a six-point lead atop the league standings, but second-placed Orlando Pirates have two games in hand. Coach Miguel Cardoso's side will now travel to Morocco to face Raja Casablanca on 4 January in the Caf Champions League.
Sundowns extend their perfect #BetwayPrem record against Richards Bay to end 2024 as the league leaders 👆🟡 pic.twitter.com/MgILRlouLg
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 28, 2024
The Natal Rich Boys, on the other hand, recorded their eighth defeat of the season in the league and they remained 15th in the standings. The KwaZulu-Natal side will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways when they face Marumo Gallants away on 4 January.
The Natal Rich Boys were forced to sit back and defend in numbers with Masandawana dominating possession. Sundowns deservedly took a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute when Lucas Ribeiro's lovely pass found Arthur Sales, who scored with a fine finish.
The goal sparked Richards Bay into life as goalkeeper Denis Onyango was forced to make two superb saves to deny Lwandile Mabuya in the 21st minute and Yanela Mbuthuma in the 25th minute. The score was 1-0 to Sundowns following a lively first half.
The hosts continued to push for the equalising goal and they were unlucky not to score seven minutes into the second half. A delicious cross from Mabuya found Mbuthuma whose powerful header hit the crossbar with Onyango well beaten.
However, Richards Bay went to sleep at the back and they were punished by Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who scored with a curling shot in the 66th minute to make it 2-0.
Simphiwe Mcineka nearly grabbed Richards Bay's consolation goal when hit the woodwork in the 82nd minute but Sundowns held on to win 2-0.
Richards 0
Sundowns (1) 2 (Sales 19', Ribeiro 66')
Sundowns: Onyango, Morena, Mashego, Kekana (De Reuck 75'), Modiba (Maboe 75'), Khoza, Aubaas, Mokoena, Ribeiro (Shalulile 84'), Kodisang (Matthews 60'), Sales (Rayners 60').
Richards: Magoola, Mabuya, Allan, Mcineka, Ndaba, Mthethwa, Gumede, Zikhali (Kutumela 71'), Mthembu (Radebe 79'), Ntsundwana (Figuareido 71'), Mbuthuma (Bomelo 79').