Mamelodi Sundowns extended their lead over Orlando Pirates to 12 points after defeating Richards Bay FC 3-0 on Wednesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Richards Bay FC
Date: 30 April 2025
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Young defender Malibongwe Prince Khoza returned to the Sundowns line-up while veteran shot-stopper came in for Ronwen Williams following the 1-1 draw with Al Ahly in Cairo last Friday.
The Brazilians got off to the perfect start as Arthur Sales bagged his fifth league goal of the season by getting on the end Teboho Mokoena's pass and firing past goalkeeper Ian Otieno after eight minutes.
Otieno was definitely the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half, with the Richards Bay shot-stopper pulling off a couple more saves to deny both Tashreeq Matthews and Mokoena at the midway point of the half.
Miguel Cardoso's charges did get a second goal on 28 minutes as Iqraam Rayners moved into double figures in the league by turning home a cross from Matthews to give the home side a two-goal cushion.
Sundowns were in complete control in the first half and did not allow the men from KwaZulu-Natal to get any joy on the ball, as Onyango barely had a save to make throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Sundowns carried that dominance into the second period and bagged a third goal three minutes in as Rayners turned provider to pick out the run of Marcelo Allende, who skipped past one challenge before firing home from a tight angle.
Cardoso took the opportunity to rest some players ahead of Saturday's clash against Cape Town City, with Allende and Mokoena making way for Jayden Adams and Sphelele Adams in the midfield just before the hour mark.
The Natal Rich Boyz were unable to provide any real threat to the Sundowns defence in the second half , which would have made Cardoso happy as his side were able to see out the clash and claim a clean sheet.
The win sees Sundowns move 12 points clear at the top of the table, while Richards Bay remain in 13th spot, three points above the relegation zone.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 1. Onyango, 20. Kekana, 42. Khoza, 6. Modiba, 25. Mudau, 11. Allende, 4. Mokoena, 11. Matthews, 13. Rayners, 10. Ribeiro, 9. Sales
Subs: 36. February, 32. Suarez, 27. Morena, 14. Mashego, 21. Mkhulise, 18. Zwane, 44. Adams, 12. Maema, 33. Maseko
Richards Bay: 1. Otieno, 72. Mabua, 25. Mcineka, 5. Allan, 37. Zulu, 6. Mthethwa, 21. Mhlongo, 17. Gumede, 36. Zikhali, 45. Ntsundwana, 9. Mbuthuma
Subs: 16. Magoola, 33. Ngema, 7. Mohlamme, 27. Bomelo, 29. Macuphu, 2. Gcaba, 13. Mdunge, 8. Mdantsane, 3. Ndaba
