Tashreeq Matthews struck a brace to help Mamelodi Sundowns shoot to the summit of the Betway Premiership table following a 4-1 victory over Richards Bay FC at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday night.
It was a perfect response by the Brazilians, who were fresh from a 1-0 midweek defeat by Golden Arrows going into this contest. They recovered from that setback to go a point clear of second-placed Sekhukhune United, who lost 1-0 to Polokwane City FC in what was their first league defeat of the season.
Masandawana coach Miguel Cardoso handed new signing Nuno Santos his debut start on an evening when Teboho Mokoena was benched. Richards Bay almost went ahead four minutes into the match when Thabani Zuke was denied by the upright post.
But Masandawana got themselves into the match when Matthews beat the Natal Rich Boyz’s goalkeeper Ian Otieno after 15 minutes at the second attempt after initially getting at the end of a Nuno Santos cross.
Some poor defending by the visitors then presented Malibongwe Khoza with an opportunity to extend Sundowns’ lead in the 27th minute with a low shot. But three minutes later, Khoza turned villain when Gabadinho Mhango dispossessed him to pull a goal back for Richards Bay with a lob over Ronwen Williams in what was an eventful opening 30 minutes of the contest.
SUNDOWNS DEFLATING RICHARDS BAY
With four minutes to go before the halftime break, Khuliso Mudau was brought down inside the box by Lindokuhle Zikhali to earn the home side a penalty. Iqraam Rayners did not make a mistake to beat Otieno from the spot to demoralise and limit their opponents’ chances of a comeback.
Sundowns then threw the contest beyond Richards Bay’s reach in the 62nd minute when Matthews grabbed his second goal of the evening by pouncing on the rebound after Rayners’ looping effort had come off the crossbar.
After claiming top spot, Sundowns have played a game more than their closest challengers, Sekhukhune, as Richards Bay are 10th on the standings after their fourth league defeat of the season. Having been involved in Sundowns’ two goals, Nuno Santos was named the Man of the Match.
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