Mamelodi Sundowns extended their unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership to 43 matches after last-gasp 1-0 win over Richards Bay FC on Tuesday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Richards Bay
Date: 02 April 2024
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
With the CAF Champions League quarter-final on Friday night, Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena rang the changes for this evening's tie, as 11 changes were made, including a first league start for Tashreeq Matthews.The Brazilians came into the clash with a perfect record against the Natal Rich Boyz, having won all of their five the previous meetings since 2022.
Despite the flurry of changes, Mokwena's charges dominated procedings in the early stages and went close to oopening the scoring through Terrenc Mashego's powerful strike inside the opening ten minutes.
The Natal Rich Boys were in desperate need of maximum points, especially with bottom-placed Cape Town Spurs sitting just two points behind.
After a relatively quiet first half, Sundowns managed to carve out a chance ten minutes into the second half as Mkhulise did well to pick out Gaston Sirino, who failed to steer his header on target.
That proved to be Sirino's final involvement, as the Uruguayan midfielder made way for Lesiba Nku while, while Matthews and Matis Esquivel also came off for Neo Maema and Junior Mendieta for the final 30 minutes.
It was one-way traffic for the remainder of the second half as Sundowns went in search of the go-ahead goal, but the Natal Rich Boys were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure.
With the game seemingly headed for a draw, Sundowns popped up with the winning goal in second-half stoppage time as Mendieta powered home a header from lose range.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 1. D.Onyango, 44. Mdunyelwa, 14. Mashego, 34. Mvala, 19. Aubaas, 21. Mkhulise, 39. Maboe, 24. Mbule, 9. Esquivel, 70. Matthews, 10. Sirino
Subs: 36. February, 6. B.Onyango, 3. De Reuck, 28. Seabi, 31. Nkosi, 35. Maema, 22. Mabena, 15. Mendieta, 7. Nku
Richards Bay: 80. Magoola, 22. Mabuya, 3. Ndaba, 5. Mthethwa, 25. Mcineka, 38. Dlamini, 21. Mhlongo, 88. Makhubela, 29. Myaba, 30. Barns, 45. Ntsundwana
Subs: 16. Jacobs, 99. Dube, 66. Malepe, 23. Figareido, 13. Gumede, 44. Komane, 9. Mbuthuma, 20. Mthembu, 72. Mabua
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments
