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Speaking to journalists during the Carling Knockout press conference at the PSL offices in Parktown, Johannesburg, Komphela said the Brazilian is not only valuable to Sundowns but to the entire league as well.
"What do you mean when you say if he should be playing in this league. Of course it's good that he is playing in this league. Actually we need more players of Ribeiro's quality and calibre in the league. It's not just good for Sundowns but the league as well. It helps to market the league for sponsorships, TV rights and endorsements. Look at Spain, for example, if (Lionel) Messi or (Cristiano) Ronaldo want to leave they would say 'please don't go' because they know the value they bring to their league and we have to do the same with Ribeiro to keep the league growing. We need more like him," Komphela told journalists.
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The former Kaizer Chiefs coach, Komphela further added that it is the teamwork at Sundowns that makes Ribeiro and all the other players perform the way they do.
"Look at the goal he scored against Cape Town City. It was not just him. Look at the way (Khuliso) Mudau picked him and pressed that ball to him. Then watch (Peter) Shalulile taking the defender to the near post which then created space for Ribeiro to score. So you should respect each and every player in the team. They all play as a team and that's why everyone in the team is important and can score. Look at the game we won 5-0 against Golden Arrows. We have five different scorers and that just shows you that everything that happens is a team effort. They work together," Komphela explained.
The Brazilians' next game is against Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals on Saturday, at FNB Stadium from 18:00.
