Mamelodi Sundowns powered into the semifinals of the MTN8 with a statement 4-0 win over Richards Bay at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday evening.
Iqraam Rayners netted a brace to add an own goal from Simphiwe Mcineka and a strike from young substitute Siyabonga Mabena, as the Brazilians joined Orlando Pirates, Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch FC in the final four of the Top Eight Cup competition.
Sundowns dominated from the early exchanges and claimed the lead in just the 10th minute, with Marcelo Allende’s corner kick passing through a busy penalty area to find an unmarked Iqraam Rayners at the back post – the striker directed his header home via the underside of the crossbar for a 1-0 lead.
Sundowns cruise into the #MTN8 semi-finals 👆🟡#SSDiski | #MTN8WafaWafa pic.twitter.com/GJgEH2g82k
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 3, 2025
Eight minutes later the Brazilians came close to claiming a second, with Arthur Sales cutting inside from the right and firing a low shot which went just wide of the near post.
Sundowns kept up their dominance throughout the first half, but had to wait until injury time before the interval to make it 2-0, with Bay defender Simphiwe Mcineka scoring an unfortunate own goal while trying to intercept Teboho Mokoena’s low cross from the right of the penalty area.
Bay made a double change at the start of the second half to try and shake things up, but the hosts needed less than nine minutes after the restart to score a third goal. Sales’s through ball put Rayners in on goal, and the striker provided a crisp finish from the right of the penalty area to make it 3-0 in the 54th minute.
Mabena goes on his own to make it four ⚽✨
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 3, 2025
📺 Stream #MTN8 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/hLMKRpQrA6
Youngster Siyabonga Mabena made it 4-0 in the 76th minute, shortly after being introduced as a substitute. The 18-year-old drove toward goal from the left flank and had the ambition to shoot from the edge of the box, being rewarded with a deflection which wrong-footed goalkeeper Salim Magoola and saw the ball find the back of the net.
Sundowns join Orlando Pirates, Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch FC in the semifinals, which are scheduled to be played over two legs on the weekends of 16-17 and 23-24 August.
Mamelodi Sundowns (2) 4 (Rayners 10’ 54’, Mcineka og 45+2’, Mabena 76’)
Richards Bay 0
Sundowns: Williams, Mdunyelwa (Basadien 78’), Kekana, Cupido (Lebusa 73’), Modiba, Allende, Mokoena, Zwane (Letlhaku 73’), Matthews (Mabena 73’), Sales, Rayners (Adams 78’)
Bay: Magoola, Mabua, Vilakazi (Zulu 46’), Mntungwa, Mcineka, Mthethwa, Gumede (Ngema 73’), Zikhali (Mtshali 46’), Mthembu, Bomelo (Mhango 65’), Nzama (Thikazi 73’)