Mamelodi Sundowns have booked a spot in the MTN8 semi-final with a dominant win 4-0 over Richards Bay FC in the quarter-final at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Sunday.
Kabo Yellow found the back of the net courtesy of a brace from Iqraam Rayners, a strike by Siyabonga Mabena, and Simphiwe Mcineka’s own goal.
The Brazilians kicked off the season with a home fixture against Richards Bay in the cup competition. But they were without their key players, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Peter Shalulile, and Khuliso Mudau.
The absence of the key trio is fuelling the rumours linking the stars with an exit in the current transfer window. Ribeiro and Shalulile are linked to Fluminense and Esperance, respectively, while Mudau is reportedly deadlocked in negotiations with Sundowns for a new deal.
In the last fixture of the weekend in the MTN8, the Tshwane giants had a bright start to the match, creating most scoring chances in the opening minutes.
Sundowns broke the deadlock in the 10th minute with a goal from Iqraam Rayners through a header from a corner kick.
The Chloorkop-based side continued their dominance against Richards Bay, searching for a superior lead before the half-time break.
RICHARDS BAY CAPTAIN SIMPHIWE MCINEKA SCORES AN OWN GOAL
Sundowns extended their lead on the stroke of half-time with an own goal from Richards Bay captain Simphiwe Mcikena.
The reigning Betway Premiership champions went into the break with a comfortable two-goal lead, having one foot in the semi-final.
With the KZN side having it all to do in the second-half, Sundowns maintained their dominance and troubled the opponents in defence.
Former Stellenbosch FC star, Rayners, bagged his brace in the 54th minute to give his side a 3-0 lead. In the 76th minute, Siyabonga Mabena put the final nail in Richards Bay’s coffin after scoring the fourth goal.
Sundowns claimed the impressive 4-0 victory against Richards Bay to join Orlando Pirates, Sekhukhune United, and Stellenbosch in the last four of the MTN8.
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