Sundowns increase points tally with win over Richards Bay

Mamelodi Sundowns are back to winning ways in the DStv Premiership after defeating Richards Bay 1-0 at home on Tuesday.

The Tshwane giants have set a new record for a points tally.

Thapelo Morena was the hero of the day when he netted the only goal that separated the two sides.

Masandawana got off to a dominant start even though they had made six changes to their line-up that played in the CAF champions league over the weekend.

Terrence Mashego drew a save from Richards Bay goalie, Salim Magoola.

A few minutes later, the visitors also tried their luck at an early opener but Sundowns shot-stopper Ronwen Williams was up to the task and made a wonderful save.

After 20 minutes, the Natal Rich Boys picked up their pace and began to throw balls forward.

Sanele Barns broke forward with speed after receiving a pass to his feet from his goalkeeper but the attacker fired into the hands of Williams before falling over.

Another chance for Barns came when his teammate, Luvuyo Memela played him in but the attacker shot wide as his team grew into the contest.

Bafana Ba Style continued to play their possession football and carved out the better openings and a goal was inevitable.

Richards Bay failed to clear Mkhulise’s cross into the box and Morena pounced on the loose ball to put Masandawana in the lead.

Morena was involved in another goal threat moments later. The winger cut the ball back to his teammate but Richards Bay intercepted the pass to regain possession.

Downs went into the break leading by a goal with the majority of possession at 64%, while the visitors sought to remain in front of the ball.

Richard Bay came back from the interval with strict dressing room instruction to attack and appeared determined to pull one back as the game entered the final third.

Barns combined with Somola Ntsundwana before taking a shot on target but Williams pushed the strikeout to safety.

Mpho Mathebula hit the crossbar with his long shot from outside the box after Ntsundwana had teed him up.

With the visitors desperate for an equaliser, Masandawana tightened up their defence, forcing Richards Bay into speculative shots from outside the box.

Masandawana couldn’t find the lead-extending goal in the Capital so held on to close the game out at 1–0.

The Brazilians added three points to their tally in the DStv Premiership to 65 with three last games to play.

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