Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns reclaimed top spot in the Betway Premiership with a 4-1 win over Richards Bay at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night.
Sundowns opened the scoring in the 15th minute, as Nuno Santos played a brilliant ball into the area for Tashreeq 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.
The 21 year-old Malibongwe 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.
Richards Bay pulled one back in the 30th minute as Gabadinho Mhango stole the ball from Khoza, and ran through on goal unopposed, chipping Ronwen 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.
Sundowns 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.
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.
Premier League Results
Golden Arrows 3-0 Orbit College
Durban City 3-1 Magesi
Polokwane City 1-0 Sekhukhune United.