With the CAF Champions League final looming, Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso faces mounting pressure to reinstate the club’s classic style of play — a move many believe is essential to unlocking the full potential of striker Lucas Ribeiro Costa.
Since joining Sundowns, Ribeiro has shown flashes of brilliance, dazzling fans with his pace, technical ability, and goal-scoring instincts. However, inconsistencies in his positioning and utilization on the pitch have raised questions about where he thrives best and how the team can maximize his impact.
Supporters and analysts alike have called on Cardoso to revisit the tactical approach that propelled Sundowns to continental dominance in previous years — a system emphasizing quick transitions, fluid attacking movements, and exploiting Ribeiro’s strengths in a forward role tailored to his natural instincts.
“Ribeiro is at his best when he plays as a central striker with the freedom to roam and link up play,” noted a former Sundowns player. “The traditional Sundowns style gives him that space and service he needs to be lethal.”
Cardoso’s recent experiments with different formations and roles for Ribeiro have yielded mixed results. Some fans argue that the team’s departure from their tried-and-tested attacking philosophy has disrupted the rhythm and chemistry, hindering Ribeiro’s ability to influence games consistently.
As the showdown with their CAF Champions League final opponents draws near, the pressure mounts on Cardoso to strike the right balance. Sundowns will need their talismanic striker firing on all cylinders to claim Africa’s premier club trophy once again.
Experts suggest that restoring the classic Sundowns approach — characterized by aggressive wing play, swift passing, and creative freedom for attacking players — could provide the perfect platform for Ribeiro to flourish and deliver match-winning performances.
For Sundowns supporters, the hope is clear: see Lucas Ribeiro Costa unleashed in his optimal role, backed by a tactical system that has delivered success before. The coach’s decision in the coming days could very well determine the club’s fate in one of the biggest matches on the continent.
As anticipation builds, all eyes will be on Miguel Cardoso and his management of Ribeiro’s position — a key factor that could tip the scales in Sundowns’ quest for CAF Champions League glory.
