Mamelodi Sundowns Join Pirates in MTN8 Semis After Thrashing Richards Bay

• Mamelodi Sundowns produced a mouthwatering performance in their win over Richards Bay in the MTN8 quarter-final on Sunday evening
• The Brazilian put four goals past the Natal RichBoyz with Iqraam Rayners producing a Man of the Match performance
• Sundowns fans shared their thoughts on their team's performance against Bay on social media after the match

Mamelodi Sundowns have joined Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semi-final after thrashing Richards Bay 4-0 at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Sunday evening.

Sundowns had no ideal pre-season before the competition after participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America, but they showed class by putting four goals past the Natal Rich Boyz.

Iqraam Rayners, who recently came out to share his disappointment about PSL awards, scored a brace with an own goal from Bay captain Simphiwe Mcineka, and Siyabonga Mabena added the fourth.

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Sundowns hit four past Richards Bay

Mamelodi Sundowns took control of the game in the opening minutes and got an early reward after Iqraam Rayners found the back of the net in the 10th minute.

The former Stellenbosch striker's goal stood till the closing stages of the first half as Richards Bay captain Simphiwe Mcineka forced the ball into his own goal as the first 45 minutes ended with the Brazilians taking a 2-0 lead.

The Brazilians were missing some of their top players in the fixture, with the newly crowned Footballer of the Season, Lucas Ribeiro, Peter Shalulile, and Khuliso Mudau not being listed for the tie.

Despite the absence of those key players, the Brazilians continued to dominate the visitors in the second half, and Rayners added to his tally with a composed finish past Salim Magoola two minutes after the restart.

Second-half substitute Siyabonga Mabena scored the fourth shortly after being introduced into the game, and his goal was largely celebrated by the entire squad, including the head coach Miguel Cardoso.

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Summer signing from Stellenbosch FC, Fawaaz Basadien also made his debut in the match but was played out of position as an inverted right back.

Fans react as Sundowns ease past Bay

DownsInternatnl commented:

"Guys we won ne?Mara ngathi kusekhona okushodayo maan 🤨… don’t know if Richard’s Bay was too cagey or our first half play just wasn’t as fluid as we are used to,shouldn’t we get a starting playmaker who is going to glue our forward play?🤔"

FredBrito10 said:

"The only thing I am happy for , is seeing Mabena and Letlhaku getting minutes. As for winning against Richard's Bay,it is not worthy of my celebration."

PeterSentongo10 wrote:

"My observations after the first game of the season. Overall: Great game, still in the preseason mood but glad the result was satisfactory. Style of play: still the same, heavily reliant on possession with a mince of fast1-2 interplays to create space behind defenders."

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BETTERSA_ shared:

"Letlhaku only needed 5 min to steal an assist against Dortmund. Mabena only needed 3 min to score after a year of not playing. We have young stars who are hungry for football, Sales has to raise his game or sit on the bench. Anyways good win, 5 would have been sweet tho 🤣"

TinoMalinga reacted:

"Nice one boys! We are Mamelodi Sundowns! We do what we do best! Winning! A very sound warning to any team lining up against us this season. We were fluid and pretty much on point in every department. Solid Cupido-Kekana combo. Ok Mdunyelwa/Morena battle soon to be."

thamaga_KT added:

"Given it’s the first game of the season, we’ll accept the results! But this cannot be the quality we should be carrying through out the season, we can do better!"

Ex-Sundowns star joins Liverpool FC

Briefly News also reported that a former Sundowns player has joined Liverpool Futbol Club on a season-long loan.

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Liverpool FC have the option to sign the player permanently at the end of his loan move next summer.

Source: Briefly News