Lucas Ribeiro Costa continues to dominate South African football with outstanding performances for Mamelodi Sundowns

Lucas Ribeiro Costa has taken South African football by storm since joining Mamelodi Sundowns in 2023.

The Brazilian-born midfielder has been nothing short of sensational, showcasing incredible goal-scoring ability and playmaking skills.

Since his arrival, Ribeiro has netted an impressive 21 goals in just 31 league appearances.

This season alone, he has already scored nine times, playing a crucial role in helping Sundowns dominate the Betway Premiership.

His recent performance against Orlando Pirates only reinforced why many consider him the best player in the PSL right now.

Can Lucas Ribeiro Play for Bafana Bafana?

Despite his outstanding form, Ribeiro is not eligible to represent South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana.

The 26-year-old has not yet met the residency requirements, which state that a player must live in the country for at least five years before qualifying for citizenship.

Having only been in South Africa for under two years, he still has a long way to go before he can even be considered.

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has openly expressed his admiration for the talented midfielder and has hinted that he would love to have him in the squad.

Even Ribeiro himself has shown interest in switching allegiance, stating that representing a national team is one of the highest honors a player can achieve.

Will Ribeiro Ever Get a Chance?

If Ribeiro were to qualify for South African citizenship, it would likely be around the time he turns 30.

By then, he may still be in top form, but would he still be a priority for the national team? If Broos and the South African Football Association (SAFA) are serious about having him in the squad, they would need to explore ways to fast-track his citizenship process.

Ribeiro has also pointed out that with several Sundowns players already in the Bafana setup, adapting to the squad would be easier for him.

He believes he could contribute significantly to the team if given the opportunity.

Should SAFA Push for Ribeiro’s Citizenship?

This raises an important question—should SAFA make an effort to secure Ribeiro for Bafana Bafana? His talent is undeniable, but does South Africa need to rely on foreign-born players, or should they focus on developing local talent?

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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