Latest news with #SimphiweMcineka
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Richards Bay's Gabriel laments ‘cheap' MTN8 exit against Mamelodi Sundowns
Simphiwe Mcineka of Richards Bay reacts after missing a scoring opportunity against Mamelodi Sundowns during their MTN8 quarter-final encounter at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Richards Bay co-coach Ronnie Gabriel admitted disappointment after his side's MTN8 campaign ended with a heavy 4-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, describing the goals conceded as 'cheap' and preventable. The Natal Rich Boyz were outclassed at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday, where a dominant Sundowns side booked their place in the semi-finals. Coach of Richards Bay Ronnie Gabriel. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Iqraam Rayners netted twice, while Siyabonga Mabena scored a deflected strike and Simphiwe Mcineka turned the ball into his own net to cap off a difficult afternoon for the KZN side. While Gabriel acknowledged the gulf in class, he was frustrated with the manner in which his team conceded. 'All credit should go to Sundowns, but I felt we also gave away cheap goals — I mean, you look at the set-piece goal, an own goal and a deflection as well,' said Gabriel after the game. 'We played a tough Sundowns team and there'll be a lot we've learnt from this game. I'm sure we'll become a better team after this as we get ready to start the league next Saturday.' Mabena goes on his own to make it four ⚽✨ 📺 Stream #MTN8 on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 3, 2025 Despite the disappointment of exiting the competition at the quarter-final stage, the fixture served as an important benchmark for Richards Bay as they prepare for their Betway Premiership opener. Sundowns, with their pace, structure and individual brilliance, offered a reality check that Gabriel says came at the right time. 'Playing Sundowns does give us an indication of where we are right now,' he added. '(Sunday) it was all about sharpness from the players and seeing our additions to the squad as well.' Gabriel and fellow co-coach Papi Zothwane have brought in several new faces during the off-season, and the MTN8 showdown was their first real opportunity to see how the revamped squad fares against elite opposition.
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Sundowns thump Richards Bay to setup MTN8 semifinal clash with Pirates
Mamelodi Sundowns will face Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semifinal, while Stellenbosch will meet Sekhukhune United. The draw for the semifinal was conducted on Sunday after Sundowns and Richards Bay match at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria. Pirates and Stellenbosch will play home in the first legs. Iqraam Rayners netted a brace for Sundowns in their commanding 4-0 victory over the Natal Rich Boyz. Rayners, who was overlooked for the PSL awards and revealed his disappointment afterwards, was outstanding, scoring on either side of the half to help Masandawana to victory and join Pirates, Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune in the last four. Mabena goes on his own to make it four ⚽✨ 📺 Stream #MTN8 on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 3, 2025 Sundowns had to make do without their key players Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Khuliso Mudau and Peter Shalulile. Shalulile is believed to be on the verge of joining Tunisian giants Esperance, while it is also understood that there is interest in both Ribeiro Costa and Mudau from unnamed teams abroad. But that didn't affect the Brazilians, who put on a dominating performance against an out-of-sorts Bay side to progress. Sundowns, who were recently involved in the Fifa Club World Cup in the USA, where they impressed, dominated the match as expected. Their pressure paid off when Rayners opened the scoring earlier on with a header after he was left unmarked in the penalty area. A corner from Marcelo Allende evaded everyone and found Rayners, who nodded home at the far post to give his side a deserved lead. The Natal Rich Boyz could not get out of their half as they opted to sit back and allow Sundowns to have all the possession. Sundowns' pressure pays off ⚽💥 Simphiwe Mcineka puts it into his own net 😖 📺 Stream #MTN8 on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 3, 2025 Despite their dominance, the home side struggled to carve out clear-cut chances as the match progressed. However, they did increase their lead in the stroke of half-time after an own goal by Simphiwe Mcineka, who turned a Teboho Mokoena's low cross into his own net to head into the interval in control of the match. The Natal Rich Boyz started to push forward in the final stages of the first half, but struggled to get any shots on goal. Sundowns were not done yet as they continued where they left off, and Rayners would complete his brace almost immediately after the restart when he was sent through on goal by Arthur Sales and slotted in at the near post. There was still time for more as substitute Siyabonga Mabena scored the fourth goal after his shot outside the box deflected into the goal. The Natal Rich Boyz continued to struggle and hardly tested Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who was reduced to a spectator. This win by Sundowns may have sent a statement that they are hungry to win this title.
