Mamelodi Sundowns’ new Portuguese pair, Nuno Santos and Miguel Reisinho, are beginning to make their presence felt.
The duo’s performance in the 3–1 CAF Champions League win over St-Eloi Lupopo, Santos scoring twice and Reisinho supplying two assists, has sparked early conversations about whether they can help fill the gap left by Lucas Ribeiro.
MIGUEL CARDOSO ON HIS NEW ATTACKING TALENT
Ribeiro’s departure was always going to be major. The Brazilian was last season’s Premier Soccer League Footballer of the Season, Golden Boot winner, and the scorer of the FIFA Club World Cup Goal of the Tournament, earning even a FIFA Puskas nomination. But for Sundowns, the focus now is on how the squad adjusts, not on replacing one individual.
Head coach Miguel Cardoso was measured in his assessment, saying he shuns away from individualising performances too much.
“I think we have players who could rise and not replace [Ribeiro] we don’t expect anyone to replace anyone but bring quality [to the squad], we depend on quality, as coaches,” Cardoso told journalists.
He added: “When we have quality it’s easier, when you don’t have, it’s harder. Unfortunately, this season we had difficult times, not due to a lack of players but because they got injured, we’re dealing in a season with traumatic injuries.”
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Cardoso noted that it was positive to see players raising their level, allowing Sundowns to meet the high demands and expectations. He added that it was crucial for the locker room to understand that every game must be played from the first to the last minute with focus and discipline.
“We can’t be complacent in Champions League, we understand that and corrected it at half-time. We have a good reaction, and I think we’re all pleased by the performance we saw – beautiful game, beautiful game,” the Sundowns mentor concluded.