Brazil’s Pele and Ronaldinho along with Argentina’s Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi are but four megastars who rank as the grandest in the galaxy of the soccer universe.
Clubs around the world have an insatiable appetite for South American flavour, an integral ingredient which has spiced up the global game for generations. South Africa is no exception.
This season a duo drawn from the region, Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Edson Castillo, have arrived to don the colours of Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, respectively.
Costa has revealed a bit of his Brazilian brilliance. An adaptable attacking midfielder who can operate as a right winger and supporting striker, the 24-year-old signed from Belgian side SK Beveren has made an immediate impact with a strike in each of his two starts for the Brazilians.
He scored on debut and hit the target in the 2-1 victories over Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs. The Santa Helena native is a busy bee and looks in his element with varying eye-catching manoeuvres on and off the ball. His goals have helped Sundowns stretch their unbeaten run in the league to 26 since the 2-1 loss to SuperSport United last September.
Costa’s coach Rulani Mokwena enthused about his impact and wants more. “He is a good player, a ceiling raiser,” he said. “He gives us many good things, possibilities to have a more flexible offensive line. I believe Lucas can give more. But with all the new players, we’ve got to be patient and support them.”
Despite Chiefs losing in Tanzania and Botswana in pre-season friendlies, Castillo, 29, received rave reviews for a positive early effect. And when Chiefs clashed with Chippa United last Sunday, the central midfielder showed Amakhosi supporters a skills catalogue with potential to captivate. He pinged overhead passes with poise. Pity that supply was in desperate need of a prolific finisher to pounce on and profit from.
Chiefs were starved of the ball as Downs pinned them on a high press in the first stanza. Castillo was a culprit for Sundowns’ opener. Unaware of Themba Zwane’s presence, the Downs captain pickpocketed the ball that led to Peter Shalulile passing Ribeiro to slot past a stranded Brandon Petersen.
For a side that struggles to string sequences of passes, Castillo has shown himself to possess a catalogue of passings tactics that could prove pivotal to propel Chiefs to string together productive moves.
If he replicates resourcefulness at relegated Marumo Gallants, Ranga Chivaviro — who scored 10 league goals, nine coming off the bench — will benefit greatly from Castillo’s supply. So too will speed merchant Ashley du Preez, who could improve his 10-goal glut in all competitions.
Chiefs started the South American trend five decades ago. Tales told by my grandfather recall the 1970 World Cup winner Jairzinho as a pacey Brazilian dribbler and scorer who was lured by the sweet tongue of the late Ewert “The Lip” Nene to feature for Chiefs, and returned seven goals in a handful of matches.
In recent years, Sundowns have fished frequently in the Amazon waters and the Chloorkop-based club has constantly caught the big fish who have been big bangs for the bucks of the big spending outfit.
The report card of their recruits reveals big catches. Uruguay forward Guston Sirino and defender from Brazil Ricardo Nascimento were the most successful during Pitso Mosimane’s voracious silverware glut. Calls have been for Sirino, who is now a naturalised South African after the star’s arrival on these shores in 2018, to be drafted into Bafana Bafana.
“I have had a great time in this beautiful country. I love everything about it and if I get presented with the chance to don the national team colours, I would jump at the opportunity, but the decision does not rest with me,” Sirino told the Sundowns digital magazine.
“There is no player born in South America who has played for Bafana Bafana, and if I receive the call, I would be happy to represent this beautiful nation.”
Colombian Leonardo Castro was a third of the famed CBD alongside Khama Billiat and Keagan Dolly and won numerous trophies with Downs before joining Chiefs. His path followed that of centre forward Jose Torrealba, the Venezuela native who also swapped Chloorkop for Naturena. Torrealba retired in 2018.
Chilean Marcelo Allende’s 18 goals and 23 assists in 106 competitions for Montevideo Torque in Uruguay’s Primera Division highlighted the hallmarks of an acquisition so attractive Sundowns duly signed him last August. He has been hot like chilies, an intelligent, energetic nippy fellow who influences the outcome of matches.
Bolivian Erwin Saavedra and Uruguay’s Mauricio Affonso were beset by injuries, with much of their time at the club spent on treatment tables. Jose Ali Meza from Venezuela and Argentine Emiliano Tade — who were signed from AmaZulu — did not have a successful stay at Downs.
And then there was Gustavo Paez. Calling the person who once donned the gold and black a soccer player is an insult. Even he would agree.
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