SUNDOWNS CONTINUE LEAGUE DOMINANCE

Written by: Kamogelo Mogale

Mamelodi Sundowns continued their league dominance as they defeated Richards Bay FC 2-0 in their betWay premiership match at the King Zwelithini stadium on Saturday afternoon. Arthur Sales opened the scoring charts for The Brazilians in the 19th minute, courtesy of an assist from his compatriot Lucas Ribeiro Costa.

The Natal Rich Boys came out guns blazing in the second half, showing plenty of fight but their efforts were dented as  Ribeiro Costa found the back of the net for the reigning league champions, ensuring that they collect all maximum heading in the next year.

The victory sees Sundowns remain at the summit of the betWay premiership table, six points adrift of Orlando Pirates and also making it four wins out of four under the mentorship of coach Miguel De Azevedo Cardoso across all competitions with victories against Raja Casablanca, Stellenbosch FC, Amazulu and now Richards Bay.

Cardoso’s charges are yet to concede a goal since taking over the technical team bench, as they have kept four consecutive clean sheets and have netted five goals. Sundowns didn’t use their full compliment of their best starting XI, with a surprise omission of in-form striker Iqraam Rayners who started on the bench, as they look to ease the workload in the congested January fixture schedule.

Downs will now shift their focus as they will travel away to Morocco to face ASFAR Rabat in the CAF Champions League at the Stade Larbi Zaouli stadium next weekend.