Mamelodi Sundowns’ unstoppable march to their sixth successive DStv Premiership title will take an arm a wrestle from all 15 teams this season.
The team is so fluid under coach Rulani Mokwena at the moment. Richards Bay, who have surprised everyone this season in their maiden campaign, were the next team asked to stop them but couldn’t.
Cassius Mailula’s beautiful goal in the first half and Haashim Domingo’s close range finish in the second stanza were enough to see Sundowns beat the team from KwaZulu-Natal 2-0 to consign Bay’s second league loss at home.
These were the two best teams this season as they have conceded the least number of goals, with Sundowns (five) and Bay six goals before the game started.
Sundowns, with this win, means they have not conceded a goal since October, with the Pretoria giants last shipped in a goal against Golden Arrows.
Bay came to this game having not conceded a goal either in the eight matches, with the last against Stellenbosch in September.
As the rain was pouring down in Durban the whole day on Friday, that didn’t stop Sundowns in getting into the grips of the game. They camped into Bay’s half, looking at punching the holes in the attacking third.
It was just a matter of time before the goal came. As there were a lot of ball clearances from Bay side, Magoola came up big to deny Themba Zwane from close range and Domingo on the turn, dragged his shot wide.
While Bay hung around the swathes of attacks, the goal eventually came in the 39th minute. Aubrey Modiba flicked the ball over and Mailula’s first time finish beat Magoola, who was off his line to open the scoring and to continue his goal scoring form at the time Peter Shalulile is out injured.
Coach Rulani Mokwena celebrated widely on the bench as he was worried when his side would find the breakthrough following a lot of ball possession.
Bay improved in the second half. Yanela Mbuthuma almost rewarded his side, getting on the end of the cross after the youngster came on before the second half started but he was late.
But normal service resumed for Sundowns, who kept on knocking on the door in search for the second goal.
Still Bay, as much as they were on the back foot, were dangerous and Ronwen Williams produced a big save to deny Luvuyo Memela, going down well to close the angle.
But Domingo put the game beyond doubt, adding the second in the 66th minute. Magoola could not hold Marcelo Allende’s vicious shot and the former Bidvest Wits attacker finished it off.
Sundowns, because they are in the title race with Bay, informed them that they can’t use Siyanda Msane, who is on loan from them.
The full back has been outstanding for the newbies this season in the left back channel. He was in the stands, looking very frustrated by this decision. He was immensely missed.
