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Nascimento’s was a integral part of the Downs side over his trophy-laden five-and-a-half-year stay at Chloorkop which came to an end this week when the Brazilian defender announced that he and the club had reached a mutual agreement to part ways.

Sundowns revealed that they had offered Nascimento a non-playing role at the club but the Brazilian declined as he felt he still had something to offer on the pitch.

On Thursday it was confirmed that the central defender had signed for Royal AM before he then took to social media to explain why he left Choorkop.

“I’m very grateful to Sundowns for all these years I have worn this shirt and for all the titles and achievements we have been able to conquer together as a team. I would also like to thank President Patrice Motsepe for all the support he has always given to me and my family…” he said in a tweet.

“My departure from the Sundowns was due to a request from the club, which needed to open a foreigner spot in the team for this season, so it was time to say goodbye.

. My departure from the Sundowns was due to a request from the club, which needed to open a foreigner spot in the team for this season, so it was time to say goodbye. Im very happy to announce that I will be joining a new family here in South Africa, the @royalam_fc family +

— Ricardo Nascimento (@r_nascimento05) February 10, 2022

“I’m very happy to announce that I will be joining a new family here in South Africa, the Royal AM family, and thank you President MaMkhize for opening the doors of the club for me, for allowing me to wear another important shirt in South African football. I will do my best for Royal AM…”

Thanks thanks thanks 🙏🏽 I’m so greatfull🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/ku1hgyVgds

— Ricardo Nascimento (@r_nascimento05) February 10, 2022

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The Brazilian defender’s fruitful five-and-a-half-year affiliation with the reigning DStv Premiership champions officially ended on Monday as he revealed his departure on Twitter.

Nascimento was a vital cog in the Downs team which has dominated South African football over the past five years, amassing 144 appearances during his time with Masandawana and winning four league crowns and a host of other silverware.

Despite the club not officially confirming his departure, co-coach Mokwena issued a farewell following Omnday’s 2-0 win over Chippa United.

“I’m sure the club will officially release a statement and I think that is only fair and proper,” Mokwena said.

“The reality is, when a loyal servant like Ricardo has served you with such distinction, it is only proper that you deal with his departure with the best possible dignity and respect in recognition of his profile and contribution.

“He’s been nothing but a loyal servant. His performances on the pitch speak only about a player who was always willing to do more than was required of him.

“The qualities that he possessed will be very, very difficult to replicate or replace, so we’ve got our work cut out as a club to make sure that we get a player of the same sort of technical and tactical qualities, if not better.

“That shows and speaks about his qualities as a football player, but over and above that, I always say that good football players are only good if they are good human beings.

“I don’t have one bad word to say about Ricardo Nascimento and I don’t think anybody at the club has a single bad word to say. A gentle giant. A humble soul. Someone who is always wearing a smile on his face, always prepared to do more than required.

“Shows huge determination and perseverance. He had two very big surgeries and those did not stop him from being able to recover and serve this club.

“When you have that type of mentality, because you have the right human qualities, it helps you to become a very good footballer.”

Mokwena also revealed that Nascimento had been offered the chance to join Sundowns in a non-playing capacity but that the imposing centre back was not yet ready to hang up his boots entirely.

“He will always remain a part of our family. He knows and the club has already extended a plan for him to stay and continue in a different capacity, but his feeling is that he’s still got one or two more seasons to play, be it locally or back in his native country in Brazil.

“But that’s for him and the club to make those announcements in due course, ours is just to thank him for his humble contribution to the success of this club and for the years he has been here.”

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The Buccaneers made two changes from their 1-0 defeat to Enyimba in the Caf Confederation Cup as Thulani Hlatshwayo and Deon Hotto returned to the side, while the Brazilians were boosted by the return of Peter Shalulile and Ricardo Nascimento, respectively.

The game got off to a slow start as both Sundowns and Pirates tried to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges of the match.

Sundowns had two chances to take the lead between the ninth and 13th minute when Lebohang Maboe fired his effort wide of goal from the edge of the box before Kermit Erasmus volley deflected out for a corner.

The Brazilians came close to taking the lead in the 21st minute when Aubrey Modiba floated a ball to the back post, which narrowly escapes Themba Zwane.

At the other end, Pirates produced their own chance at goal two minutes later but Denis Onyango made a comfortable save to deny Innocent Maela’s attempt at goal.

Neither side were able to break down their oppositions defence as the game went into the half time break locked at 0-0.

Sundowns were then awarded a penalty early in the second half when Shalulile’s shot struck the arm of Maela in the box. Nascimento stepped up and made no mistake from the spot kick.

Gift Motupa should have doubled Sundowns’ lead in the 61st minute but the forward fired his effort over the crossbar.

Sundowns were then forced into making a substitution in the 64th minute when Lyle Lakay came on to replace the injured Modiba before Pirates made a change of their own two minutes later when Tshegofatso Mabasa came on in place of Vincent Pule.

Hotto and Shalulile had a chance to find the net at either end of the field when they both produced acrobatic overhead kicks, which narrowly missed the target.

Sundowns managed to double their lead in the 75th minute when Shalulile capitalised on an error by the experienced Hlatshwayo to slot the ball past Wayne Sandilands.

The Brazilians then extended their lead even further four minutes later when Lakay fired his well taken free kick in off the post with Sandilands rooted to the spot.

The visitors made another substitution in the 82th minute when goalscorer Nascimento was replaced by Brian Onyango before bringing on Mothobi Mvala and Promise Mkhuma for Coetzee and Zwane.

Maboe should’ve added to Pirates’ misery just before the 90 minute mark but the attacker’s effort crashed off the post before going out of play, but they held on to claim all three points to end Pirates 34 game unbeaten run at home..

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The Brazilians extended their unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership to 10 games following their 2-0 victory over Baroka at the Peter Mokaba Stadium this past weekend.

Masandawana currently sit at the summit of the league table with 24 points after 10 games and have conceded only five goals in the process.

‘I think we have a team that all helps in marking without the ball, that makes things easier for the defenders,’ Nascimento told his club’s official website.

‘At the end of the day, it is a team collective to defend and we have been doing that and it is our mission to make sure we continue.’

Nascimento has formed a formidable partnership in defence with Kenya defender Brian Onyango, who joined Masandawana as a free agent during the off-season.

‘With each game that passes our relationship gets better, he is a player with great potential,’ Nascimento said about Onyango.

With fixtures coming through thick and fast in January for Sundowns, Nascimento will be hoping his side can maintain their streak of not conceding goals, while collecting maximum points along the way.

‘With every game that passes, I feel that the team is more confident, the victories bring confidence and, for us, it is to go out there and play well for the club and the supporters who are at home and can’t be at the stadium,’ he concluded.

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The Brazilians will begin their 2020-21 campaign against Bloemfontein Celtic when the two sides meet in the MTN8 quarter-final at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Sunday.

Sundowns will then turn their attention to the DStv Premiership when they begin their title defence against Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 24 October.

Nascimento, who has been with Sundowns since July 2016, has been an important member of the last line of defence and is also the man trusted with taking penalties for the Brazilians.

‘When you know that the game is a cup game, then you expect a difficult match. We are looking forward to an exciting game and want to do well in this cup, we want to win it for the club and also for the fans,’ Nascimento told his club’s official website.

‘We have prepared well and we are expecting a challenging season, as the clubs are getting strong teams. The clubs are bringing new and good players to close the gap.’

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The Brazilians are set to lock horns with Celtic at the Orlando Stadium in the final game of the 2019-20 season.

Sundowns will be hoping the complete their campaign with a treble if they win the Nedbank Cup after clinching the Absa Premiership title last weekend.

Mosimane has confirmed that the club are monitoring the likes of captain Hlompho Kekana, Gaston Sirino, Ricardo Nascimento, Mosa Lebusa and Andile Jali ahead of the Nedbank Cup final.

‘We have a few niggling injures, which is normal. When you come from a battle, you come [out] with wounded soldiers and deep scars,’ Mosimane told the media.

‘So we rested a few guys that are not yet back from injury. Sirino has a niggling injury, we don’t know if he’ll make it. Hlompho – we rested him because the guy’s played all the minutes in the bubble.

‘Denis is training well, so hopefully he’s okay. Mosa has not started training, probably [soon] you never know. It’s just minor knocks when you come from a game, but nothing big. Oh, Ricardo has a wrist that’s also giving him problems, that’s why he’s been playing with a wrist band. But I don’t know, we should be okay by Saturday.

‘AJ, yes, he’s been suffering from that hamstring but he has been training. But the game and training session intensity isn’t the same, but he’s getting better, we’ll hear from the doctors [if he’s available].’

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Sundowns opened the scoring through Hlompho Kekana in the 25th minute as the Downs captain saw his shot deflect off Rushine de Reuck before hitting the back of the net.

The Team of Choice, though, quickly hit back as De Reuck was again involved, but this time at the other end of the field poking home his shot after the Brazilians failed to deal with an in-swinging free kick.

#AbsaPrem – HALFTIME:

Maritzburg 1-1 Sundowns

An eventful first half but the teams go into the break level. Who’s winning this one?

Watch live: https://t.co/RYwm9aZlb5#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/zTxvQRUXok

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 21, 2020

Pitso Mosimane’s men regained their lead just after the break as Ricardo Nacimento converted from the spot after Nazeer Alli handled in the Maritzburg box.

Again, Eric Tinkler’s men hit back in quick fashion as Thabiso Kutumela let loose from outside the box and found Dennis Onyango’s bottom corner.

A frantic finish to the game had both teams missing big chances while Nascimento was sent off with 20 minutes to play for a barge off the ball on Kutumela.

The five main talking points from the game:

1) Pitso rings changes but no result

Pitso Mosimane made several changes to his side with Anele Ngcongca, Andile Jalie and Motjeka Madisha all returning, while academy graduate Promise Mkhuma was handed a debut. Mosimane was looking to freshen up his side after two draws and a loss in the league since the restart but, with a number of players having played games in a short period of time, the decision ultimately didn’t have the desired effect.

2) Nasciemento, Jali to miss next game

After his late red card, central defender Nascimento will now be suspended for the games against Golden Arrows and the mega clash with Kaizer Chiefs. This will come as a big blow to Downs as the Brazilian is often key the heart of their defence.

Jali also picked up a late yellow which will have him miss the Arrows game – undoubtedly another blow for a squad already stretched.

Nasicmento sees red 🟥

Things get worse for Sundowns with their captain receiving his second yellow after a collision with Thabiso Kutumela.

Watch live: https://t.co/RYwm9aZlb5#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/Uxa8OTAQjk

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 21, 2020

3) Ngcongca horror miss could prove costly

With 70 minutes gone, Ngcongca had a golden chance to put his side ahead. But he somehow missed an open goal after he got on the end of Lakay’s cross – the ball immediately went up to the other end and Nascimento took Kutumela out off the ball resulting in his send-off.

If the Downs defender slotted home the opportunity, they would likely gone on to win but he missed the target when it looked easier to score.

4) Slow-burner Sundowns struggling since restart

Sundowns are historically slow starters with it taking a while for them to build up some steam. This has been apparent since the restart with a number of games squeezed into a small space – Sundowns and Pitso are struggling to find their rhythm.

5) Chiefs still hold advantage

This title race may be producing more twists and turns with every game, but Chiefs still hold the advantage as they sit five points clear. Ernst Middendorp’s men have also shown frailties – with their mid-week loss to Bloemfontein Celtic – but with the teams set to meet next Thursday we are nearing a grandstand conclusion.

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Pitso Mosimane made five changes to his side which beat Highlands Park in the quarter-finals by bring Mosa Lebusa, Rivaldo Coetzee, Sphelele Mkhulise and Nicholus Lukhubeni in the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, Gavin Hunt gave Brighton Mhlongo his first start in the competition while captain Thulani Hlatshwayo, Deon Hotto and Haashim Domingo returned to the squad.

The game got off to a slow start with both teams trying to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges.

Wits had the first chance at goal as Denis Onyango fumbled Deon Hotto’s long-range strike, with Cole Alexander failing to hit the target on the rebound.

Sundowns started to gain momentum and had their first real chance at goal in the 22nd minute as Themba Zwane unleashed a strike from the edge of the box, but fired his effort straight to Mhlongo after linking up Sibusiso Vilakazi.

The Brazilians were then awarded a penalty on the half-hour mark after Buhlebuyeza Mkhwanazi brought down Motjeka Madisha in the area. Ricardo Nascimento stepped up and made no mistake from the spot kick.

The Students pressed forward in the closing stages of the game but were unable to create any clear-cut chances as the game went into the break 1-0 in favour of Sundowns.

Sundowns came out with intent in the second half as Sphelele Mkhulise managed to test Mhlongo from just outside the box, but he failed to beat the Wits keeper with his effort.

Hunt made a double substitution in the 46th minute when he took off Kgaogelo Sekgota and Lorenzo Gordinho for Rowan Human and Zitha Macheke.

Onyango was called into action in the 52nd minute when he read the danger to rush off his line to clear the ball from danger as Hotto made his way into the box.

Mosimane made his first change of the game when Keletso Makgalwa came on to replace Vilakazi, while Wits brought on Bienvenu Eva Nga to replace Haashim Domingo.

Wits had a good chance to level matters in the 67th minute but Terrence Dzvukamanja’s flick sailed just over the crossbar.

Sundowns then opted for fresh legs in the 72nd minute when Andile Jali and Lyle Lakay came on to replace Themba Zwane and Mkhulise.

Wits then levelled matters four minutes later when Dzvukamanja stripped Motjeka Madisha from the ball before racing down the field to slot the ball past Onyango.

Sundowns then made it 2-1 in the 80th minute when Onyango played a long ball forward to Makgalwa, who slotted it into an empty net after an error from Mhlongo.

Hunt’s side then levelled matters for the second time five minutes later when Dzvukamanja’s skilfully beat his market to fire the ball past Onyango from close range.

Lakay then sealed Sundowns’ place in the final after firing his curling free kick last Mhlongo in injury time as the game ended 3-2.

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