Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their perfect record in the DStv Premiership following their 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening.
In a tense match in Soweto that saw nine yellow cards, the South American slammed a shot over the custodian Sipho Chaine and into the corner of the net in the 12th minute.
It was the Brazilian’s fifth goal of the season, making him the top scorer in the richest African national league, which has a first prize of 15 million rand ($795,000).
Ribeiro joined the team in the middle of the year from the Belgian team SK Beveren. He also scored twice in his first game in the CAF Champions League last weekend.
Former African champions Sundowns are going for their seventh straight league title and are seven points ahead of second-placed Golden Arrows since the season started.
If Sundowns beats Stellenbosch at home on September 27, they will have won eight straight Premiership games, just like Kaizer Chiefs did to start the 2014-2015 season.
Pirates, the other South African team that has won the African title, are in an unusual position of 11th. They have played two fewer games than Sundowns, which puts them in 10th.
“We won against very good opponents at a very difficult venue to come to and secure maximum points,” said Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena.
“Our passion, character and tactical awareness were spot on. We were under pressure in the closing stages, but did not suffer much.”
“Some substitutions were influenced by another huge match on the horizon,” added Mokwena as he explained taking off several stars, including Ribeiro, before the hour mark.
Saturday is the second leg of the MTN 8 Cup semi-final between Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs. The teams are tied 1-1 after the first leg.
“We were not ourselves in the first half and I do not understand why. We were much better in the second half, but matches last 90 minutes, not 45,” said Pirates’ Spanish coach Jose Riveiro.
SuperSport United moved up to third place, one point behind Arrows, after beating Chiefs 1-0 at home. Zimbabwean Terrence Dzvukamanja scored the game’s only goal in the 67th minute, and the win moved SuperSport United up to third place.
Photo by Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
