Sundowns sweep aside Richards Bay to set up MTN8 semi-final showdown with Orlando Pirates

The semi-final draw of the MTN8 dished out what many will no doubt describe as the final before the final, with holders Orlando Pirates set to contest the penultimate stage with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Perhaps more importantly, this clash could well set the tone and give an early indication of whether the Brazilians are going to canter to a ninth successive league title or whether the Buccaneers will offer serious resistance — if not halt the yellow and royal blue juggernaut altogether.

Pirates — 2-0 winners over Polokwane City on Saturday — will host the first leg of the semifinal in two weeks’ time as they seek to win the season-opening tournament a record-extending four times in a row.

The other semi-final pits last year’s beaten semif-inalists Stellenbosch FC — who overcame AmaZulu 3-2 in extra-time — against Sekhukhune United, with the Cape Winelands team at home first. Ba Bina Noko also won by the same scoreline, albeit within normal time against TS Galaxy.

The result of this match was never in doubt, given Sundowns’ domination of this fixture — the Brazilians have never lost to the Natal Rich Boys. The only question was by how many goals Miguel Cardoso’s men would win, and it became clear early on that the margin would be substantial.

Iqraam Rayners helped himself to a brace, opening the scoring with a simple header from a Marcelo Allende corner as early as the 10th minute. It was 2-0 before the break after visiting captain Mpho Mncineka stabbed the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a cross from the right by Teboho Mokoena.

Early in the second half, Rayners made it 3-0 with a sweetly struck low shot that snuck in at the near post past the diving Salim, after a superb run to latch onto another precise through-ball from Allende.

Siyabonga Mabena delighted the crowd — and his teammates — when he came off the bench to score the fourth. The youngster showed maturity and poise during a solo run, firing home from the edge of the area to underline his status as a future superstar.

The victory was a clear statement from Sundowns that they remain the team to beat this season, despite the impending departure of some key players.

The big news prior to kick-off was the absence of stars such as Lucas Ribeiro, Khuliso Mudau and Peter Shalulile, all of whom are set to leave Chloorkop for clubs abroad. Yet, an uninformed observer might not have noticed their absence, as Sundowns dominated possession — as always — and looked threatening whenever they surged forward.

Arthur Sales posed a constant threat up front, while Zuko Mdunyelwa was solid at the back. Veteran Themba Zwane returned to the starting eleven and pulled the strings from midfield with typical class.

Intriguingly, new signing Fawaaz Basadien made a late cameo, initially slotting in at right-back before shifting into a deep midfield role — a departure from his usual position at left-back, which was occupied by Aubrey Modiba, absent from Sundowns' FIFA Club World Cup squad.

It was a show of strength by a Sundowns team eager to end their five-year MTN8 drought, and their clash with champions Pirates is sure to be a thriller — and a likely barometer for the season ahead.

SCORERS

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (2) 4

Rayners 10, 53; Mcineka (og); Mabena 76

RICHARDS BAY 0