Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso heaps praise on PSL's top scorer & most creative player Ribeiro Costa after midfield masterclass against SuperSport United - 'Lucas is a player to play at a high level, internationally, no doubt'

Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their six-point advantage at the summit of the Premier Soccer League table after defeating SuperSport United 3-0 in the Tshwane Derby on Wednesday evening at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Lucas Ribeiro Costa, surely an early favourite to bag the PSL Footballer of the Season, ran the show for the Brazilians.

By half-time Masandawana were two up with goals from January signing Jayden Adams with his first goal for the club and Tashreeq Matthews doubling the lead in the 44th minute.

In the second-half, that man again, Matthews, swiftly completed his brace as he scored a third goal for the Brazilians in the 49th minute.

With victory assured Miguel Cardoso took Ribeiro off to rest him ahead of the title showdown with Orlando Pirates on Saturday, February 8.

"One of the things I said to Lucas when I arrive here, knowing that he was performing well in the league, was to try tell him that there are always things that can be done. So, try make him understand the ambition that he should have to continue to develop himself, should be present every day in his life," the coach said in his post-match interview as reported by Soccer Laduma.

"We work hard on the mindset of the players a lot. I think the message is entering most of them, with commitment, with the work, with the strong mindset of getting better, with respect for everyday work.

"Lucas can go further on. We should profit as much as possible while we can from him and let's hope the club can keep him for long because he is a very important player.

"Lucas is a player to play at a high level, internationally, no doubt."

Ribeiro leads the way in the PSL's goal-scoring charts with seven goals, with five assists to his name, and is an early favourite to win the PSL Footballer of the Year award.

He has not hidden his desire to represent his adopted country and with performances like Wednesday night stacking up, Hugo Broos must be rubbing his hands in glee that he could soon include the 26-year-old in his Bafana Bafana plans.

Next up for the attacking midfielder and his teammates is the potential title-deciding PSL clash with Orlando Pirates on the weekend.

Sundowns enjoy a six-point lead over Pirates after winning 13 out of their 14 matches so far this season.

Pirates, who do have a game in hand, cannot afford to lose against the seven-in-a-row league champions as a nine-point gap would be, as we've seen from previous seasons, insurmountable.