Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says Arthur Sales has stepped up well to fill the void left by the absence of star striker Lucas Ribeiro.
Sales has started all of the Brazilians’ games so far this season, with Ribeiro reportedly close to securing an exit from the Betway Premiership side.
Ribeiro was the league’s best player last season and ended the campaign with the Footballer of the Season award, alongside the Betway Premiership Players’ Player of the Season, Goal of the Season and league’s top goal scorer awards.
His performances at the Club World Cup further enhanced his reputation and is now said to have left South Africa to secure a move to Qatar SC.
Sundowns started their campaign with a 4-0 MTN8 quarter-final thumping of Richards Bay. They were held to a 1-1 draw by Chippa United on the first day of their new league campaign before seeing off AmaZulu 2-0, and most recently drew 1-1 with Orlando Pirates in their MTN8 semi-final first leg.
Sales netted in the draw with Chippa and reflecting on the start to their season, Cardoso says he expects the young attacker to keep becoming an important player for his team.
In his 45 games for Downs, Sales has scored 10 goals and provided 12 assists.
Cardoso told iDiski Times: “Nobody should compare any player that will play right winger, or whatever position he is, out or in the field – nobody should compare two players, you cannot make a [duplicate] of one player who is not at the moment with the team.
“I don’t think it’s up to me to give answers to the question of Lucas, for sure, in the proper time, will know everything that has happened with him – but regarding Arthur? He’s giving a good answer, he’s doing very well.
“He’s showing dynamism, he’s showing what the team wants in that position, bringing his game to help the team, and as I said, nobody should expect one player to replace another – it’s just one player who is playing the same position as another player.
“So, the game will become different, but we will have to use the characteristics that we have from Arthur, he is showing that he’s being better and better, match after match – so let’s hope he can stabilise his performance in a very high level as a player we trust.”