Mamelodi Sundowns returned to winning ways in the Betway Premiership with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Richards Bay FC on Wednesday evening.
The CAF Champions League finalists recalled Denis Onyango, Malibongwe Khoza and Iqraam Rayners as Ronwen Williams, Mosa Lebusa and Jayden Adams made way from the team that started against Al Ahly on Friday.
Masandawana hit the ground running on eight minutes when a pin-point pass from Teboho Mokoena found Arthur Sales, who needed no second invitation to volley hom.
Sundowns extended their lead two minutes to the half-hour mark after Rayners latched onto a cross from Tashreeq Matthews and nodded in from the six-yard box, taking his tally to 10 league goals for the season.
The Natal Rich Boys looked to come in their own late in the half and had outlets in Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepo Mabua, but they couldn’t beat the defensive-line of Masandawana.
Richards Bay turned to the substitutes bench at halftime and introduced Fezile Gcaba in the place of Tlakusani Mthethwa, with Masandawana unchanged.
However, the table-toppers continued to dominate and bagged a third goal as Marcelo Allende connected with Rayners to finish from close-range.
The Natal Rich Boys were completely on the back-foot and were unfortunate not to concede a fourth when Sphelele Mkhulise guided a layoff from Matthews narrowly wide.
Sundowns captain Themba Zwane was thrown on from the bench once more in the 63rd minute and saw Rayners make way for him.
Richards Bay did have a rare chance inside the closing 20 minutes as Wandile Ngema looked to profit from a tight angle following a free-kick, but he strayed wide.
Masandawana maintained control of the clash as the minutes ticked by and confirmed the victory to edge closer to the yet another title.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Kekana, Khoza, Modiba, Mudau, Allende, Mokoena, Matthews, Rayners, Ribeiro, Sales
Subs: February, Suarez, Morena, Mashego, Mkhulise, Zwane, Adams, Maema, Maseko
Richards Bay: Otieno, Mabua, Mcineka, Allan, Zulu, Mthethwa, Mhlongo, Gumede, Zikhali, Ntsundwana, Mbuthuma
Subs: Magoola, Ngema, Mohlamme, Bomelo, Macuphu, Gcaba, Mdunge, Mdantsane, Ndaba
