Mamelodi Sundowns made history after defeating Richards Bay FC 1-0 in DStv Premiership action on Wednesday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Richards Bay 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 23 August 2023
Venue: King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium
Sundowns made only one change after their win over Chippa United, as Junior Mendieta got his first start ahead of Themba Zwane and joined Lucas Ribeiro and Lesiba Nku in a front three.
Nku should have given them the lead within three minutes after he intercepted a bad back pass by Thabani Dube, with goalkeeper Salim Magoola out of his area but the attacking midfielder chipped his shot just over the crossbar.
Rulani Mokwena's charges eventually went ahead on 11 minutes after Mendieta combined with Ribeiro before calmly slotting home to open his account for the club.
Richards Bay were not shy to go forward as Romario Dlamini almost levelled matters nine minutes later with a glancing header that was punched away from the top corner by shot-stopper Ronwen Williams.
As the tempo of the game slowed down towards the end of the first stanza, the Natal Rich Boyz were dealt a blow after Somila Ntsundwana suffered a concussion and was taken to hospital, with Sakhile Hlongwa brought on as his replacement.
Sundowns had a bright start in the second stanza as Nku had a big chance within eight minutes from the break after he received a low cross unmarked at the back post but he guided his shot wide.
Kaitano Tembo made a tactical and attacking change on the hour-mark as Letsie Koapeng replaced Langelihle Mhlongo.
Koapeng had glorious chance to make an almost immediate impact after he received a cross unmarked in the box but he bounced his free header straight at Williams.
Mokwena felt it was time to close the game with 18 minutes to go as Bongani Zungu came on for Nku and in the same moment brought on Terrence Mashego in place of Aubrey Modiba.
The Natal Rich Boyz were alive in the game in the closing stages but the Brazilians were largely in control, especially after Zungu came on and held on to their fifth consecutive win, which is the first time the club started a league campaign with five straight victories in the Premier Soccer League Era.
Here's how they lined up:
Richards Bay: 80. Magoola, 38. Dlamini, 72. Mabua, 25. Mcineka, 99. Dube, 44. Komane, 30. Barns, 21. Mhlongo, 23. Figareido, 18. Miya, 45. Ntsundwana
Subs: 1. Mabokgwane, 28. Banda, 46. Ndlovu, 22. Mabuya, 14. Koapeng, 24. T. Mthembu, 15. Hlongwa, 20. M.Mthembu, 9. Mbuthuma
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 20. Kekana, 13. Boutouil, 34. Mvala, 40. Coetzee, 4. Mokoena, 17. Modiba, 11. Allende, 15. Mendieta, 7. Nku, 23. Ribeiro
Subs: 26. Pieterse, 6. B.Onyango, 14. Mashego, 8. Zungu, 24. Seabi, 19. Aubaas, 33. Maboe, 31. Nkosi, 18. Zwane
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