Mamelodi Sundowns went 12 points clear at the Betway Premiership summit after they cruised to a 3-0 win over Richards Bay at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday, April 30.
First-half goals from Arthur Sales and Iqraam Rayners put Miguel Cardoso’s side in the driver’s seat at halftime, with Marcelo Allende sealing victory early in the second half to put them back on course in the race for the title.
Orlando Pirates failed to keep pace with the league leaders after they slipped to a 1-0 loss against Sekhukhune United in a concurrent game, which allowed Babina Noko to close within two points of them in third place.
The Brazilians were looking to bounce back from only their third league defeat of the season, while the natal Rich Boyz hoped to build on their 1-0 victory over Cape Town City on April 18 which took them three points clear of the promotion/relegation berth.
The hosts got off to a flying start in Pretoria when Sales side-footed the ball home on the volley after being picked out by a sumptuous cross from Teboho Mokoena in the eighth minute.
Tashreeq Matthews tested Ian Otieno with a header on 14 minutes and Mokoena stung the palms of the goalkeeper with a trademark shot from long range 11 minutes later as Masandawana pushed for a second goal.
Their pressure paid off soon afterwards with Rayners flicking a header past Otieno from Matthews’ cross to register his 10th goal of the campaign in the top flight.
Sundowns were in total control at the break and Denis Onyango was little more than a spectator as the visitors failed to create a single chance in the first half.
The Tshwane giants wasted no time at all in extending their lead after the restart when Allende showed good close control inside the box before nutmegging Otieno on 48 minutes.
Otieno had to be alert to prevent Matthews from beating him at his near post on 61 minutes and there was a big cheer two minutes later as Themba Zwane was introduced from the bench to make his first league appearance since September 28.
Lucas Ribeiro did well to control a loose ball inside the box before getting off a shot that was expertly saved by Otieno in the 74th minute, while Onyango was having a quiet game after not being required to make a save in the second half.
