Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Ribeiro’s transfer to Libya blocked, Basadien’s future revealed & more

Latest news about Mamelodi Sundowns, including the case blocking Lucas Ribeiro’s move to Libya and why Fawaaz Basadien is not keen to leave.

Sundowns case halts Ribeiro’s Libya transfer

Lucas Ribeiro at Mamelodi Sundowns. Image: PSL

Mamelodi Sundowns’ pending case at the FIFA tribunal against Lucas Ribeiro has put brakes to the forward’s reported transfer to Libyan outfit Al-Ittihad which is coached by Rulani Mokwena.

Ribeiro forced a move out of Sundowns last year, claiming the Brazilians had denied him a transfer, and signed for Spanish second division side Cultural Leonesa, which has since been relegated.

Following the club’s relegation, Ribeiro was released and was due to sign for Al-Ittihad but according to SABC, the club has halted all proceedings after learning that the case remains active and could prove problematic for them if they went ahead and signed him.

Basadien ‘determined’ to fight at Mamelodi Sundowns

Fawaaz Basadien and Themba Zwane in training at Mamelodi Sundowns.

According to Soccer Laduma, Fawaaz Basadien is determined to fight for his position at Mamelodi Sundowns despite the prospect of limited gametime.

Basadien sealed a move to Chloorkop from Stellenbosch FC last year but his debut season was frustrating, managing 11 appearances with Aubrey Modiba and Divine Lunga the left-backs preferred by coach Migual Cardoso.

There is also Thato Sibiya who has played on a number of occasions, making Basadien’s situation even more complicated but despite all these, he is reportedly still keen to stay on.

Komphela on added pressure after CAF CL success

Steve Komphela, senior coach at Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo by Mamelodi Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns senior coach Steve Komphela admits the club is now feeling even more pressure after winning the CAF Champions League as they will be the team everyone wants to beat and the one expected to do well in the competition.

“Then the minute they achieve that much, some will think ‘I have arrived’. That’s a threat. So, you always have to bring the element that there is a threat to this success. Identify the threat so that you can nullify and deal with it in advance,” he said on the club’s Pitchside podcast.

“Don’t relax and stay there in the sun because you think you are successful. There is danger in success, there are threats in success.”