Mamelodi Sundowns reclaimed top spot in the Betway Premiership with a 4-1 win over Richards Bay at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday.
Masandawana took full advantage of Sekhukhune United’s loss to Polokwane City, putting on a display to overtake Babina Noko in the standings. Sundowns now sit on 21 points from 10 league games.
The Brazilians made four changes to their starting 11 after losing to Golden Arrows midweek, including a first start for Portuguese attacking midfielder Nuno Santos.
Santos bagged an assist, while 21-year-old Malibongwe Khoza scored his first league goal for Sundowns.
The Natal Rich Boys made no changes to their side after beating Magesi on Wednesday, and saw their five-game unbeaten run come to an end. They sit in 10th position on the log.
In the fourth minute, Richards Bay’s free-kick drifted over the top of the bodies in the box, including Ronwen Williams, who was off his line. Simphiwe Mcineka attempted to squeeze the ball in from a tight angle at the back post, but his effort was met by the upright.
Khuliso Mudau found Rayners on the edge of the box in the eighth minute, but the striker slipped, the ball spilling to Bathusi Aubaas whose long-range attempt was off target.
The Natal Rich Boys gave the ball away in a dangerous area in the 13th minute, allowing Marcelo Allende a shot from the edge of the box, which flew over the goal.
Sundowns opened the scoring in the 15th minute, as Santos played a brilliant ball into the area for Matthews to run on to. Matthew’s headed attempt was kept out by Ian Otieno, who could not stop the follow-up from the winger.
In the 25th minute, Santos nearly doubled Sundowns’ lead with a strike from the edge of the area, forcing Otieno to parry it away. Khuliso Mudau was lining up for the rebound but was offside.
KHOZA'S FIRST TOP-FLIGHT GOAL
Khoza bagged his first league goal for Sundowns in the 27th minute, as Matthews' shot was stopped by Otieno. The ball fell to Khoza, who found the back of the net from the middle of the box.
Natal Rich Boys pulled one back in the 30th minute as Gabadinho Mhango stole the ball from Khoza, and ran through on goal unopposed, chipping Williams to half the deficit. Masandawana called for a foul on Khoza, but their protests fell on deaf ears.
Sundowns were awarded a penalty before the stroke of halftime, as Tlakusani Mthethwa shoved Mudau off the ball in the box. Iqraam Rayners made no mistake from the spot, converting in the 41st minute to restore Masandawana’s two-goal lead.
The hosts added another goal in the 62nd minute as Matthews scored his second of the game. Santos played a perfect ball to Rayners upfield, and the striker cleverly chipped Otieno. Rayners’ attempt struck the crossbar but fell for Matthews, who tucked away the rebound.
Masandawana kept pushing and nearly found a fifth in the 82nd minute. Mudau cut along the byline and fed the ball into a dangerous area, but Rayner’s close-range shot was denied by the sliding Halalisani Vilakazi.
In the 87th minute, Mhango hit a well-struck free kick from the side of the box but could not find the target.
The Brazilians will return to the Lucas Moripe Stadium next Saturday for their Carling Knockout first-round fixture against Marumo Gallants.
Richards Bay open their Carling Knockout campaign against Chippa United at the Richards Bay Stadium next Sunday.
Mamelodi Sundowns (3) 4 (Matthews 15’, 62’, Khoza 27’, Rayners 41’)
Richards Bay (1) 1 (Mhango 30’)
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS: R. Williams, B. Aubaas, M. Lebusa, M. Khoza, A. Modiba (F. Basadien 73’), M. Allende, K. Mudau, T. Matthews (B. Mokoena 67’), N. Santos (S. Mkhulise 73’), A. Sales (T. Maseko 67’), I. Rayners (P. Shalulile 80’)
RICHARDS BAY: I. Otieno, H. Vilakazi, S. Mntungwa, T. Zuke, S. Mcineka, T. Mthethwa, W. Ngema (L. Mabuya 55’), M. Mthembu (L. Mtshali 79’), G. Mhango, L. Zikhali (L. Khumalo 80’), S. Nzama (M. Thikazi 80’)