Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Benedict Tso Vilakazi believes his former side is already planning for life without influential duo Lucas Ribeiro and Khuliso Mudau.
The pair along with Peter Shalulile were notable absentees from Sundowns’ match day squad in the 4-0 win over Richards Bay in the MTN8 quarter-final at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.
The reigning PSL footballer of the Season and Shalulile have been linked with moves away from the club while Mudau is reported to have been absent from preseason camp.
Tso believes the players’ absence is a clear indication they are gone however he is not worried about Ribeiro’s gap being filled.
“It’s obvious they are gone,” said Tso on iDiski TV.
“If they were part of the team there was no way coach Cardoso was not going to play them. It tells you as they are not here, he’s already planning the future without them. So, they are gone already that is why you saw [Zuko]Mdunyelwa there, that’s why you saw [Arthur] Sales and Mshishi [Themba Zwane] was playing because if Ribeiro was there, one between Sales and Mshishi one was going to sit out. And with Mudau, Mdunyelwa would be out.
“From my point of view, they are gone now they are planning for the future, a future without them. Sundowns has got quality. We just saw [Siyabonga] Mabena and [Kutlwano] Letlhaku come in now so whether Ribeiro is there or not I think Sundowns is still powerful.
“Sales won’t be a replacement for Costa because he is just something else, but he [Sales] is going to try and play his part in the team.”
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