A much-changed Mamelodi Sundowns scored a late goal through Junior Mendieta to beat Richards Bay 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday.
Sundowns started the game with 11 changes to the team after the CAF Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash against Young Africans.
After 10 minutes into the game Richards Bay sat back and absorbed the pressure but Downs failed to trouble Salim Magoola.
The Natal Richboyz thought they got penalty inside 20 minutes when Sanele Barns went down into the box, but referee Luxolo Badi booked him for simulation.
Bay kept on looking to catch Sundowns on the counterattack but failed to convert the half chances they’ve created. The match went into the break goalless.
Sundowns produced some good passage of play on the 47th minute, when Gaston Sirino combined with Siphelele Mkhululise who set-up Lebogang Maboe, but his shot went wide.
Both sides made numerous substitutions, as they were searching for the first goal of the match. After 75th minute there was only one shot on target and that was Richards Bay’s one but none from Sundowns.
With 10 minutes to go, Downs increased the tempo of the game, as they continued searching for that important goal, but Bay’s low block was remained solid.
Sundowns had their first on shot on target on the 86th minute after Siyabonga Mabena showed some kills and set up Neo Maema but Magoola was equal to the task and corner-kick.
A minute later, Mabena had another opportunity to put Sundowns into the lead, but Magoola catch the ball easily.
The home side finally found the break-through when a cross by Sphelele Mkhulise found Mendieta, who headed home his first goal since scoring the winner against Bay in the reverse fixture.
