Mamelodi Sundowns’ head coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, recently discussed what he sees as a key area of improvement for star player Lucas Ribeiro, following their dominant 3-0 victory over Cape Town City FC in the Betway Premiership at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria.
Sundowns showed their class in the win, with goals from both Ribeiro and Peter Shalulile, who scored twice to seal the game. This victory saw the team bounce back from a surprise 1-0 loss to Polokwane City FC, marking their first defeat of the 2024/25 season after a strong start with five wins from six matches. The Brazilians now sit second on the log, just behind Orlando Pirates, who have had a perfect season so far, winning all six of their opening matches.
Coach Mngqithi’s Take on Lucas Ribeiro’s Discipline
After the game, Mngqithi spoke about his concerns over Lucas Ribeiro’s tendency to pick up what he considers “unnecessary” yellow cards. The Brazilian forward was suspended for the match against Polokwane City after accumulating four yellow cards this season and received yet another booking upon his return against Cape Town City.
With six goals and three assists in 10 games across all competitions, Ribeiro has been essential to Sundowns’ success. However, Mngqithi noted that his aggressive style of play can sometimes lead to avoidable cautions.
“With Lucas, it’s concerning for all of us that he often picks up bookings even in situations that don’t really call for it,” Mngqithi explained. “The tackle he made just on the line was unnecessary.”
Mngqithi acknowledged the passion that South American players like Ribeiro bring to the game but highlighted the need for the forward to balance this passion with better control.
“I’ve had several one-on-one talks with him. He’s made progress and has become less emotional on the pitch, but there’s still room for improvement,” Mngqithi added. “Other club members are also working to support him and help players like Lucas manage their emotions better.”
