Junior Khanye has expressed his admiration for Mamelodi Sundowns’ standout player, Lucas Ribeiro, after his impressive performance in the 3-1 victory over Orlando Pirates last weekend, where Ribeiro scored twice.
Ribeiro: Dominating the Game
Khanye, a former Kaizer Chiefs winger, praised Ribeiro’s ability to link up with Sundowns’ midfielders and dominate play. “Credit to Ribeiro for his involvement with the midfielders,” said Khanye. “Football is played in sections, and Sundowns are dangerous when they build from the back. When Mokoena retrieves the ball, Allende makes himself available, and Jayden Adams contributes with a forward pass, which then reaches Ribeiro. He starts and finishes the play. The guy’s confidence on the ball is remarkable. He was instrumental in their win today.”
Khanye went on to say that Ribeiro has no competition in South Africa and described him as the best player on the African continent, despite being Brazilian. “He was playing as he pleased; no one can stop him. Right now, he’s the best player in Africa.”
Cardoso Upset by Club World Cup Distractions
While Sundowns are excited about their upcoming participation in the FIFA Club World Cup in June, coach Miguel Cardoso was frustrated by a marketing event last week. The FIFA Club World Cup marketing team visited Sundowns’ training base for a photo shoot with the trophy just hours before their Betway Premiership match against Orlando Pirates.
Cardoso shared his frustration: “I was so pissed off yesterday, because we had the day to focus on the World Cup, but our attention should have been on Pirates. I wasn’t happy because I know what’s ahead. For us, it’s always about the next match.”
He emphasized that his focus is solely on the upcoming challenges: “I don’t think about the Champions League or the World Cup right now. I just have to handle the activities that prepare us for these moments, and we focus on the daily grind, the next training session, and the next game.”
