Mamelodi Sundowns roar back to top of the league with emphatic win over Richards Bay

The 2025/26 Betway Premiership season could well have taken a decisive turn following Mamelodi Sundowns’ resounding 4-1 defeat of Richards Bay at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night.

The victory saw the Brazilians climb to the top of the table, overtaking early pace-setters Sekhukhune United, who suffered their first defeat of the campaign in the Limpopo derby earlier in the evening.

Sundowns have played ten matches — one more than Sekhukhune — and enjoy a one-point lead. Advantage could still rest with Eric Tinkler’s side, but in winning as convincingly as they did, the defending champions have sent a clear message to Ba Bina Noko: their championship credentials will be tested by how well they bounce back from this setback.

Sundowns showed theirs on Saturday night, responding to their recent defeat at Golden Arrows with authority. Tashreeq Matthews netted a brace, while Malibongwe Khoza and Iqram Rayners also found the back of the net. Gabadinho Mhango scored what proved to be a consolation goal for the visitors.

Ordinarily, the match might have been considered settled by half-time, with the Brazilians enjoying a 3-1 lead. But given the visitors’ fighting spirit after going 2-0 down, declaring Sundowns the victors at the break would have been premature.

This was a game that started with Richards Bay threatening early. As early as the fifth minute, Fortune Mncineka headed freely but directed the ball against the upright. Sundowns’ first clear chance came in the 12th minute when Marcelo Allende attempted a long-range effort that sailed over the bar.

The warning signs were clear, but Richards Bay failed to heed them. Soon after, Matthews put Sundowns ahead in the 15th minute, finishing a clever setup from new signing Nuno Santos. Santos himself tested keeper Ian Otieno with a long-range shot shortly after, but the Kenyan keeper was alert to the danger.

It was nothing Otieno could do to stop Khoza doubling the lead in the 26th minute, controlling the ball beautifully with his chest before smashing it into the bottom corner. Three minutes later, Mhango pulled one back for Richards Bay, and the contest suddenly regained intensity.

But Sundowns, wounded from their midweek defeat, were not to be denied. Motivated by the prospect of topping the table after Sekhukhune’s slip, Miguel Cardoso’s men intensified their attack. They were rewarded when Khuliso Mudau was fouled, earning a penalty which Rayners converted to make it 3-1 before the break.

On 62 minutes, Matthews completed his brace, pouncing on a loose ball after Rayners’ effort struck the woodwork, sealing a 4-1 win.

It was a commanding statement from Sundowns. With a slight break from league action coming up, the rest of the Premiership might just have to get used to seeing Sundowns at the summit of the table.