Mamelodi Sundowns made a positive return to domestic football following their 3-0 triumph against Richards Bay FC on Wednesday night at Loftus Versfeld.
The opening minutes of the match saw the hosts dominating the ball and keeping it in the visitors’ half. The Natal Rich Boys, on the other hand, had a sea of blue shirts plucked in defence, while not getting an opportunity to take the ball to Downs’ half.
In the 8th minute, the deadlock was broken by Arthur Sales. The ball came from Teboho Mokoena, who bypassed the wall and set up Sales nicely. A tap-in in front of the goal saw the ball go past the goalkeeper to open the floodgates for Downs.
Eventually, the visitors found their feet and started to take their chances to score. A big threat after a mistake saw them take the ball into the area, but Denis Onyango was alert and pounced early to snatch the ball.
After an end-to-end tussle between the two sides, Masandawana were able to double their advantage in the 28th minute. Tashreeq Matthews shot a long pass into the area. It was found by Iqraam Rayners, who then flicked the ball inside the net with his head.
After threatening the Richards Bay backline with the hopes of getting a third goal before half-time, Bafana Ba Style went to the interval with the double advantage.
The Brazilians were quick to open the second half proceedings with a goal. It came in on the 48th minute through Marcelo Allende, who had controlled the ball to the danger zone and slipped it under the goalkeeper to make it three for the hosts.
Just after the hour mark, Richards Bay were awarded a free kick on the right flank. A beautifully played attempt at goal was, however, heavily defended by Masandawana, denying the visitors a goal.
A dangerous-looking Lucas Ribeiro kept searching for a goal to also add his name to the night’s scoresheet, but he just wasn’t getting it right, having the defenders squeezing him in and ensuring he didn’t score.
In the final minute of regulation time, Sales came close to making it four but was unlucky as the goalkeeper cushioned the ball from a tight angle. The game, by the time the referee blew the full-time whistle, ended 3-0, seeing Masandawa collect maximum points and extend their lead on the Betway Premiership log.
How we lined up: Onyango ©, Mudau, Kekana, Khoza, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Matthews, Ribeiro, Rayners, Sales.
Subs: February, Mashego, Suarez, Maema, Adams, Mkhuilse, Zwane, Morena, Maseko.
