Mamelodi Sundowns secure 3-0 victory over Richards Bay, inch closer to eighth Premiership title

Mamelodi Sundowns closed in on an eighth successive Premiership title by securing a 3-0 victory over Richards Bay on Wednesday night in a result that was never really in doubt, and with such consummate ease that it was like ‘stealing candy from a bay’.

Richards Bay hardly provided any resistance as the Brazilians bagged the maximum points on an evening when their only challengers, Orlando Pirates, fell to a shock 1-0 defeat at home against Sekhukhune United.

In a sparsely populated Loftus Versfeld that nevertheless sounded as though it was fully packed, with the Sundowns faithful singing their lungs out, the men in yellow turned on the magic – their passing machine running with such precision that the visitors hardly got a look-in.

The magical double remains attainable, Bafana ba Style having qualified for the CAF Champions League final with that away goals rule elimination of holders Al Ahly last week and now also stretching their lead in the Premiership to 12 points.

They have played two more matches than Pirates, though.

Never having lost to Richards Bay in the league, Sundowns were always favourites going into this match, and they were swift to show just why as they scored the opener as early as the eighth minute.

Arthur Sales delivered, the Brazilian tapping home a superbly floated pass by Teboho Mokoena, who got the ball over the defence and straight on to his on-rushing teammate.

The build-up to the goal illustrated Sundowns’ class as they knocked the ball about purposely, switching from the flanks and even retreating towards their own half to lure their adversaries out, before Mokoena unleashed that killer pass.

The Bafana midfield kingpin almost made it 2-0 on 25 minutes with a trademark pile-driver from the edge of the box as he stung goalkeeper Ian Otieno, who needed a second take to hold on to the ball.

The champions did not need to wait too much longer to double up, though, as Iqraam Rayners found the net just three minutes after Mokoena’s attempt.

Tashreeq Matthews received the ball on the left side and sent it into the box for Rayners to get the slightest headers with his back to goal, directing the ball into the net.

Matthews nearly made it 3-0 just before the break, but his shot went inches wide of the far post as it also eluded the on-running Sales.

The match was essentially over as a contest at the halftime break, the fact that Richards Bay have proven themselves a second half team notwithstanding.

But Sundowns needed to make sure there were no comebacks, and they did that with yet another team goal less than five minutes in, Marcelo Allende completing a move involving three players with a shot from close range to get his name on to the scoresheet.

The Natal Rich Boyz made a fight of it as they launched some attacks but they never threatened Dennis Onyango as Sundowns held on to the victory that sees them edging ever so closer to that eighth title – aided as they were by Pirates losing to Sekhukhune.