WARNING: Mamelodi Sundowns new stars will get better

After their club debuts, Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rhulani Mokwena complimented newcomers Thapelo Maseko and Lucas Ribeiro Costa but warned rivals they will only get better.

The newcomers had a successful DStv Premiership debut for Sundowns on Friday, when Maseko came off the bench to set up Ribeiro’s game-winning goal in the 2-1 victory over Sekhukhune United.

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Mamelodi Sundowns new stars shine

After the game, Mokwena claimed that Maseko is providing the reigning champions with something they did not have the previous year.

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“This is why we brought him. He gives the team something that we didn’t have last season,” Mokwena told iDiski Times.

“A lot of work was done to strengthen the squad in the transfers. At the end of the season I said we won’t do too much business, there will be five coming in and we’ve got our five now.

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“And we will settle a little bit and try to improve the team and give them a little bit more confidence.

“They need time. Sometimes I forget myself that [Thapelo] Maseko is only 19. So he’s got a lot of potential and we just have to continue to help him and coach him and try to get him to give even better performances.”

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Another great signing

Ribeiro, who scored in a number of preseason games and appeared to have adjusted well to the South African game, will still develop significantly, according to Mokwena.

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“He [Lucas] got good teammates they help each other, they support one another, he will get better,” said Mokwena.

“He has to understand the league. The league is a little bit different. You can see even today there are a lot of counter attacks.”

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