Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has addressed Lucas Ribeiro’s goal drought, emphasising how he wants him to handle the increased attention he has attracted.
Ribeiro last found the back of the net on March 5 in a Betway Premiership match that ended in a 1-1 draw against Golden Arrows. This season, the 26-year-old has played 40 games for Mamelodi Sundowns across all competitions.
In the Betway Premiership, he has participated in 21 matches and scored 13 goals, making him the leading goalscorer with a four-goal advantage over his closest competitor, Iqraam Rayners. Furthermore, Ribeiro has netted twice in the ongoing 2024/25 CAF Champions League tournament. However, the Sundowns standout has now failed to score in his last seven appearances across all competitions.
WHAT COACH MIGUEL CARDOSO SAID ABOUT LUCAS RIBEIRO’S GOAL DROUGHT
Following Sundowns’ draw in the CAF Champions League semi-final first-leg against Al Ahly, Cardoso was asked about Ribeiro’s performance. As always, Cardoso expressed concern, noting that Ribeiro’s task has been complicated by his increased attention from opponents. The outspoken coach is hopeful that Ribeiro can adjust to this heightened scrutiny as the competition reaches its final stages.
“Teams are worried so much about him by closing him, and two or three players will be over him, making his job much, much more difficult,” said Cardoso.
“And because of that, we don’t see him so free on the pitch. What is important is that the team understands that when two players go on him, there are other spaces on the pitch that should be used.”
Cardoso has urged the other forwards to step up and benefit from gaps left when opponents focus on Ribeiro.
He added: “And we should relate to that, and he should understand if he receives so much pressure, he should release the ball. Let the other ones play. So that he can position himself in order to find the spaces and play. Lucas and the other players we have in the team are players who can make the difference.
“I’m always telling him that in the decisive moments, these players should inspire themselves. And bring onto the pitch the individuality they can bring in order to put it to the service of the team.
“I think it will happen naturally with Lucas because he’s working normally. So I just hope he can be stable enough to make that moment arrive and appear. Football is exactly like that. It’s important that we can move forward.”
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