Mamelodi Sundowns surrendered a two-goal in a 2-2 draw with Moroka Swallows in the DStv Premiership on Monday evening.
The Tshwane giants recalled Khuliso Mudau, Thapelo Morena, Thembinkosi Lorch and Peter Shalulile, with Grant Kekana, Thapelo Morena, Themba Zwane and Neo Maema dropping to the bench.
Ribeiro was the go-to-guy five minutes in and played a cheeky ball in for Marcelo Allende to hit target, but the midfielder unfortunately nodded over.
Shalulile’s woes in front of goal continued when he had a point-blank cleared off the line in the opening quarter after a fumble by goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
With the host sitting deep, the Brazilians took some time to get in their stride and overcome a pretty stubborn Dube Birds outfit.
However, the breakthrough came ten minutes before halftime when Teboho Mokoena lined-up a 30-yard scorcher and bundled in the near post as the Dube Birds fluffed their lines.
Mokoena seemingly injured himself at the same time of asking and had to be replaced by fellow midfielder Sipho Mbule.
The table-toppers extended the lead five minutes after the break after Allende made a short run-up to the box and fired in the bottom-corner well past Daniel Akpeyi.
Swallows weren’t out of it and received a lifeline when Augustine Mahlonoko tucked in a loose ball from close-range after the visitors fluffed their lines from a free-kick.
Akpeyi kept out the Brazilians midway through the half as he divied to near post to turn Morena’s shot behind for a corner following Shalulile’s layoff.
The Dube Birds remained alive and were rewarded eight minutes from time when Gabadinho Mhango made a blind run to slot in after Divine Luna's error, with the goal initially disallowed but awarded after the referee consulted his assistant.
Sundowns looked to regain the lead late on and had a succession of free-kicks around the area, but failed to find target and settled for a draw.
Confirmed line-ups:
Moroka Swallows: Akpeyi, Maphahlele, Nqgonga, Mngonyama, Nyauza, Sanou, Phalane, Everson, Mahlonoko, Mtshali, Mhango
Subs: Mbanjwa, Maponya, Tshanini, S.Sibiya, V.Sibiya, Khumalo, Khupe, Rampa, Mthethwa
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Modiba, Lunga, Mvala, Mokoena, Aubaas, Allende, Lorch, Ribeiro, Shalulile
Subs: D.Onyango, Boutouil, Morena, Mbule, Maema, Mabena, Matthews, Zwane
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