Mamelodi Sundowns finish Betway Premiership season in style
Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro scored twice as champions Mamelodi Sundowns completed their Betway Premiership season on Sunday with a 2-0 win over lowly Magesi FC in Pretoria.
It took his league tally to 16 goals, two more than team-mate Iqraam Rayners and eight ahead of another Mamelodi Sundowns star from Brazil, Arthur Sales, and Devin Titus from third-placed Stellenbosch FC.
Ribeiro, who joined the Pretoria club from Belgian outfit Beveren in mid 2023, was lauded by Chilean Marcelo Allende, one of five South Americans on Mamelodi Sundowns' books.
'Lucas is not only the best footballer in South Africa, he is the best footballer in Africa,' said the midfielder.
Ribeiro deflected a Rayners shot past veteran Zimbabwean goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze to give 15-time champions Masandawana a fourth-minute lead at Loftus Versfeld.
His second goal on 22 minutes stemmed from a clever free-kick manoeuvre that ended with Ribeiro placing the ball in the corner of the net with Chipezeze stationery.
A Rayners header off a Ribeiro cross and a Teboho Mokoena free-kick both rebounded off the woodwork in a first half dominated by the home side.
Mamelodi Sundowns also controlled the second half against 12th-placed Magesi FC and Sales wasted a great opportunity to increase the lead when he scuffed a low cross.
'It was a pleasure to watch Sundowns playing tonight,' said Miguel Cardoso, the Portuguese coach who replaced sacked local mentor Manqoba Mngqithi last December.
'There was energy, character and happiness from the players, and the second goal was perfectly constructed.
'I hope all South Africans are proud of Sundowns because they are fantastic ambassadors for the country,' added the 52-year-old.
Mamelodi Sundowns completed the 28-round Betway Premiership with 73 points, the same total as last season, as they were crowned champions a record-extending eighth consecutive time.
Having conquered South Africa again, they now turn their attention to the two-leg CAF Champions League final, then the Club World Cup in the United States.
Mamelodi Sundowns face Egyptian outfit Pyramids in the premier African club competition on May 24 in Pretoria and June 1 in Cairo.
In the revamped Club World Cup, they are in Group F with Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund and South Korean representatives Ulsan.
The other African contenders are Al Ahly of Egypt, Esperance of Tunisia and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, all former Champions League winners.
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