After a challenging week, Mamelodi Sundowns found their rhythm again with a commanding 3-0 victory over Cape Town City FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

This win marked their return to form in the Betway Premiership, showcasing their offensive prowess and tactical superiority on the pitch.

The match saw Lucas Ribeiro and Peter Shalulile stepping up, with Shalulile scoring two goals, while Ribeiro added to his impressive tally for the season.

This victory came after Sundowns faced an unexpected setback, losing 1-0 to Polokwane City FC in their previous outing—a defeat that marked their first of the 2024/25 campaign.

Prior to this loss, Sundowns had been on a solid run, winning five out of six league matches.

Currently, Sundowns sit in second place in the league standings, just behind Orlando Pirates, who have enjoyed a perfect start to the season with six consecutive wins, accumulating 18 points.

Concerns Over Lucas Ribeiro’s Discipline

Despite the team’s success, head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has raised concerns about Lucas Ribeiro’s disciplinary record.

The talented forward has been collecting yellow cards at an alarming rate, which has become a significant issue for the coaching staff.

After receiving his fourth booking of the season, Ribeiro was sidelined for the match against Polokwane City due to suspension.

Unfortunately, upon his return, Ribeiro found himself in the referee’s book again during the clash with Cape Town City.

Mngqithi noted that Ribeiro’s knack for picking up these “unnecessary” cards is troubling, especially given the player’s importance to the squad, having scored six goals and provided three assists in just ten matches this season.

A Message from Mngqithi

Mngqithi shared his thoughts on Ribeiro’s situation, emphasizing the need for the player to manage his emotions better during games.

“It’s a big concern for all of us that he somehow finds a way to get a booking even when it was difficult for him to get one,” Mngqithi explained.

He acknowledged that the specific tackle Ribeiro made was avoidable, hinting at the player’s aggressive style of play.

He went on to reflect on the differences in mentality among South American players, saying, “Sometimes you must know when you’re working with South Americans that they think differently.

They give everything to the game, which sometimes exposes them to cautions.”

While Mngqithi has seen improvement in Ribeiro’s approach—recognizing his past emotional reactions—he stressed that there’s still much work to be done.

He and other club members are committed to supporting Ribeiro in refining his game and maintaining his discipline as they look ahead to the rest of the season.

What Lies Ahead for Sundowns?

With their momentum regained, Mamelodi Sundowns are poised to tackle the challenges ahead.

As they strive to close the gap on Orlando Pirates, the focus will be on maintaining their discipline and consistency, particularly from key players like Lucas Ribeiro.

Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the team continues to evolve and respond in the coming matches.

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

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