Mamelodi Sundowns brushed aside Richards Bay 2-0 in a DStv Premiership match at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday evening.
The victory saw Masandawana open a 10-point lead at the top of the league standings having registered their ninth successive win in the competition.
While the Natal Rich Boys remained third on the league table with their nine-match unbeaten run having come to an end following a defeat to the reigning champions.
The Natal Rich Boys were under siege from the first minute and goalkeeper Salim Magoola, who has been outstanding this term, was forced to deny Themba Zwane at the near just 10th minute into the match.
The visitors’ best chances were falling for Zwane who was sent through on goal in the 27th minute and once again the accomplished playmaker was denied by Magoola who was keen to keep his 11th clean sheet of the season.
However, the Richards Bay shot-stopper was finally beaten six minutes before halftime as Cassius Mailula superbly turned home Aubrey Modiba’s looped pass to hand Sundowns a 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
The introduction of Luvuyo Memela at halftime changed the complexion of the game and the attacker had a chance to level matters on the hour-mark, but he was fantastically denied by keeper Ronwen Williams.
However, Sundowns were gifted a goal when Magoola gave away possession and he was punished by Haashim Domingo who scored with a powerful low shot to make it 2-0 to Sundowns in the 66th minute.
Richards launched attacks as they searched for a consolation goal, but they couldn’t seriously test Williams in the latter stages of the match and ultimately, Sundowns emerged as 2-0 winners in what was their first league meeting against the hosts.