Ribeiro Costa’s Magic Inspires Sundowns to a Dominant 3-0 Victory Over SuperSport United

Mamelodi Sundowns reaffirmed their dominance in the Premier Soccer League with a resounding 3-0 victory over SuperSport United at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday night.

Brazilian playmaker Lucas Ribeiro Costa was at the heart of the performance, demonstrating why he is one of the most influential players in South African football.

Despite only playing a little over 50 minutes, Ribeiro’s impact was enough to turn the Tshwane Derby into a one-sided affair before he was substituted in anticipation of Saturday’s crucial clash against Orlando Pirates.

From the first whistle, Ribeiro displayed his intent, constantly searching for the ball and driving Sundowns forward with his creativity and vision. His technical ability was evident early on when he nearly broke the deadlock with a powerful shot from just inside the box.

SuperSport goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa managed to get a hand to it, deflecting the ball onto the inside of the upright before it was eventually cleared to safety.

SuperSport failed to heed the warning signs, and just ten minutes into the match, Sundowns found the breakthrough. Ribeiro initiated the move with an exquisite back-heel pass to Zuko Mdunyelwa, who surged down the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross.

Jayden Adams, making his mark in Sundowns’ colors, outmaneuvered two defenders before sending the ball past Mbanjwa to open the scoring.

Sundowns could have doubled their lead before the 20-minute mark when Peter Shalulile’s relentless pressing forced a mistake from Eric Mbangossoum.

The Namibian striker seized possession and attempted a shot past the advancing Mbanjwa, only to see it crash against the upright and back into play.

SuperSport had a rare moment of hope in the 28th minute when Gape Moralo’s brilliantly struck free kick left Ronwen Williams rooted to the spot. However, the ball struck the top of the upright, denying them an equalizer.

That proved to be their best opportunity of the night as Sundowns continued to dominate possession and dictate the tempo of the match.

As halftime approached, Ribeiro once again showcased his class. The Brazilian maestro displayed strength and skill as he glided past a defender before laying off a perfect pass for Shalulile.

Instead of taking the easier option of passing to an unmarked Tashreeq Matthews, Shalulile opted to take on the defenders himself and eventually lost the ball. But he quickly made amends moments later when a long ball from Ronwen Williams found him inside the box.

Although his first touch was heavy, the ball rolled into the path of Matthews, who made no mistake in tapping it into an empty net to give Sundowns a 2-0 lead just before the break.

The second half started with Sundowns looking to extend their lead further. Within four minutes, they found their third goal, and once again, Ribeiro was at the heart of the action.

A swift attacking move down the right saw the Brazilian set up Matthews for his second goal of the night. The midfielder met Ribeiro’s cut-back pass with a well-placed shot that Mbanjwa got a hand to, but the ball trickled over the line to make it 3-0.

With the result all but secured, coach Miguel Cardoso made the decision to substitute Ribeiro in the 55th minute, ensuring that his talismanic playmaker remained fresh for the upcoming clash against title rivals Orlando Pirates.

Unlike most instances where a key player’s early substitution draws groans from the crowd, Sundowns’ supporters rose to their feet, giving Ribeiro a standing ovation in recognition of his masterful display.

The victory sees Sundowns tighten their grip at the top of the table, further asserting themselves as the team to beat in the league.

Meanwhile, SuperSport’s struggles continue, as Gavin Hunt’s side once again failed to rediscover their early-season form.

With Orlando Pirates securing a 2-1 victory over Sekhukhune United on the same night, the stage is now set for a highly anticipated showdown between the two title contenders.

Sundowns will need Ribeiro at his best if they hope to extend their lead at the top and send a decisive statement to the rest of the league.

As Sundowns march toward yet another league title, Ribeiro Costa continues to be the conductor of their success, orchestrating attacks and dismantling defenses with effortless precision.

The battle against Orlando Pirates looms, and if his latest performance is any indication, he could be the difference-maker once again.