Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has praised Brazilian playmaker Lucas Ribeiro who continues to impress for the club with dazzling performances.
Ribeiro was among the architects of SuperSport United’s downfall in the Tshwane Derby on Wednesday when Sundowns beat their cross-town rivals 3-0, the Brazilian providing the assist for the third goal.
His impressive performances came days after he had put Golden Arrows to the sword last Sunday as Sundowns won 4-0 and on Wednesday, he could have ended the game with a goal and at least two assists although his passes in the final third gave SuperSport lots of problems.
The playmaker should develop more
It is because of such performances that Cardoso is thrilled to be working with the player, whom he hopes can stay at Sundowns for a long time, even though he is good enough to be playing at a much higher level.
“One of the things I said to Lucas when I arrived here, knowing that he was performing in the league, was to try and tell him there’s always things that can be done,” Cardoso told iDiski Times.
“So, try to make him understand that the ambition he should have to develop himself be present every day of his life.
Why does Cardoso want Ribeiro tied?
“We work hard on the mindset of the players, and I think the message is entering most of them – with commitment, with work, with a strong mindset of getting better, with respect of everyday work, waking [up] every day thinking this is the day I need to give my best, Lucas can go further on.
“We should profit as much as possible, while we can from him and let’s hope the club can keep him for long because he is a very important player, but Lucas is a player to play in the high level, internationally, no doubt.”
Ribeiro’s playmaking abilities have seen him lift the levels at Sundowns where he has 10 goals and nine assists in 26 games across all competitions and will be crucial to how the Brazilians play against Orlando Pirates in the top of the table clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
