Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Ricardo Nascimento has suggested that his fellow Brazilian, Lucas Ribeiro, should consider switching his international allegiance to play for Bafana Bafana.
The 26-year-old has made a significant impact since his move from Belgium to South Africa, quickly becoming an integral part of Sundowns’ ongoing dominance in local football.
Following an outstanding start to the season, Ribeiro currently tops the Betway Premiership goal-scoring charts with nine goals and has accumulated a total of 12 goals across all competitions, alongside an impressive 10 assists.
While his stock continues to rise in the Betway Premiership, Ribeiro remains largely unknown in his home country of Brazil, and his chances of receiving a call-up from the five-time World Cup champions are virtually nonexistent.
Nascimento believes this is why Ribeiro should consider representing South Africa when he becomes eligible.
“This is an exceptional player,” Nascimento was quoted as saying by KickOff. “He would be a tremendous asset to Bafana Bafana.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think they even know about him here in Brazil. That’s why I think it would be interesting for him to play for Bafana Bafana.”
Ribeiro is not the first South American to be linked with a Bafana Bafana call-up this season. Earlier in the campaign, Gaston Sirino’s stellar form for Kaizer Chiefs prompted fans to call for his inclusion in the national team, especially after Themba Zwane’s injury.
However, coach Hugo Broos has resisted such calls, stating it wouldn’t be in the team’s best interest to replace the 35-year-old Zwane with a 33-year-old Sirino. The Belgian coach has emphasized the need for a younger player to fill Mshishi’s role should he decide to retire.
At 26, Ribeiro is younger than both of them, providing the national team with an opportunity to build for the future with him in the long run.