Ribeiro hat-trick inspires Downs victory against Usuthu
Mamelodi Sundowns were triumphant once again against AmaZulu in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday evening, beating them 3-0 with a hat-trick courtesy of Lucas Ribeiro at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
The log-leaders extended their record streak of unbeaten league games to 40, thereby setting a new benchmark for the domestic game.
Sundowns have now not lost any of their past 40 league matches since a 2-1 loss to SuperSport United at Atteridgeville on 2 September.
๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ ๐จ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐๐ญ๐๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฏ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ โญ
โ SuperSport Football โฝ๏ธ (@SSFootball) February 27, 2024
It is now one year, five months and 25 days since their most recent defeat ๐คฏ#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/wEBZxgPa7O
Mamelodi Sundowns went into the match with an attacking formation, opting for a front three whereas AmaZulu went with a back five following coach Pablo Franco Martinโs call for more defensive solidarity.
Masandawana went into the fixture having won the previous league fixture in KZN during December and AmaZulu were looking for redemption.
Gaston Sirino, who is in good form having scored a hat-trick in Sundownsโ Nedbank Cup fixture, had a fair chance of opening the scoring but pulled both of his efforts wide in the opening 15 minutes.
Lucas Ribeiro also got an opportunity to score after receiving a cutback from Sirino, but his dipping shot went over the bar 23 minutes in.
RIBEIRO ROCKS
On the other end, AmaZulu attacked on the counter but could not make the most of their chance and the ball went out for a corner.
The set piece was taken by Riaan Hanamub as Augustine Chidi Kwem headed the ball towards the goal but it did not find the back of the net. Going into the halftime break, both teams had hardly worked each otherโs goalkeepers but Sundowns had a shot on target and most of the ball possession.
As the second half got under way, the Brazilians showed that they meant business and the deadlock was finally broken by Lucas Ribeiro in the 48th minute, who scored from a rebound on Sirinoโs shot as Olwethu Mzimelaโs save was not enough to keep the danger away.
Ribeiro would double the lead 10 minutes later after receiving a cutback from Lebohang Maboe, as Sundowns continued to cut through the defence.
An effort from AmaZulu would come in the 70th minute as Augustine Mulenga took a shot at goal but it was saved by Ronwen Williams.
The final blow was delivered in the 78th minute as man-of-the-match Ribeiro completed his hat-trick after receiving a sublime pass from Bongani Zungu.
Hat-trick for Ribeiro pic.twitter.com/5ER3Of7FdL
โ Nhlanhla Hlabisa (@bab_hlabisa) February 27, 2024
Three more points were in the bag as Sundowns stretched their lead at the top of the DStv Premiership to 12 points.
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 3 (Ribeiro 48โ, 57โ 78โ)
AmaZulu (0)
Mamelodi Sundowns: R. Williams, Z. Mdunyelwa, G. Kekana, D. Lunga, L. Maboe, B. Zungu, T. Mokoena (B. Aubaas 73โ), A. Modiba (S. Mbule 73โ), G. Sirino (J. Mendieta 84โ), L. Ribeiro (S. Mkhulise 83โ), M. Esquivel (T. Lorch 73โ)
AmaZulu: O. Mzimela, W. Jooste, M. Gumede (V. Zulu 82โ), R. Mphahlele, T. Fielies (T. Sikhakhane 66โ), R. Hanamub, M. Mbanjwa (G. Maluleka 79โ), B. Motshwari (H. Ekstein 65โ), E. Brooks, A. Chidi Kwem (A. Mulenga 65โ), T. Moremi
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