Mamelodi Sundowns have extended their lead at the top of the DStv Premiership table to an eight-point gap, thanks to a Junior Mendieta solitary goal.
Sundowns produced a narrow 1-0 victory over strugglers Richards Bay United at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday evening.
It did not take long for the defending champions to stamp their authority as Mendieta opened the scoring in the 11th minute, when he combined with fellow South American Lucas Ribeiro – who set him up with a super pass that went between the legs of Austin Dube and Mendieta made no mistake to get his first goal in Sundowns colours.
The home side almost got back into the game in the 21st minute, when Siyanda Dlamini’s headed effort was tipped over the crossbar for a corner kick by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Sundowns continued to dominate play and caused troubles for the Richards Bay defense but did not create enough goal scoring opportunities and went into the break 1-0 up.
Moments into the second half, Ribeiro was again in the heart of things when he played an exquisite through-pass to captain of the day Teboho Mokoena, who spotted Lesiba Nku at the far post, but the former Marumo Gallants man could not hit the target and fired his shot wide.
Coach Kaitano Tembo reacted and made two changes, and substitute Letsie Koapeng almost made an instant impact on the game when Justice Figuareido supplied him with an excellent cross, but the striker failed to generate enough power behind the ball.
The home side grew confident in the game, as they tried to get an equaliser but their half chances were not enough as Sundowns walked away with maximum points.
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