Is Arthur Sales the "secret" weapon for Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League final?
- Andrew Olsson
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
€3.2 million. Almost R65 million. South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns continue to bring in high-priced foreign signings from South America and Brazilian striker Arthur Sales was meant to help Masandawana compete at the highest level in the CAF Champions League when he arrived ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
When the now 22-year-old striker arrived from Belgian club Lommel SK, the highlights appeared to show a tall but also quick marksman who had all the dynamic tools to set the Betway Premiership alight. However, it was a slow start for the Brazilian to life in South Africa's top flight with some notable misses in the MTN8 cup competition, causing the criticism to arrive early in his Sundowns stay.
"Learn to protect the ball, 64 million for a person who can't do basics? Come on."
"Sales must be loaned 🙄"
"Stay injured Sales"
Even worse was his record in the CAF Champions League, where he was expected to give Sundowns a reliable striker in their pursuit of continental glory. In over 300 minutes played, Sales has yet to score in Africa's premier club competition.
However, close to the end of 2024, the tide began to turn a bit for Sales. After the departure of head coach Manqoba Mngqithi, Portuguese tactician Miguel Cardoso was hired as the new head coach and it appears that having a Lusophone coach has benefited Sales significantly.
After gaining some confidence against lower league opposition in the Nedbank Cup and enduring some injury issues, playing time began to increase as well as the most important thing...the goals.
Sales came on as a substitute to score against Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership (video above) amongst a string of substitute appearances meant to re-integrate him into the team. As the league approached its conclusion and Sundowns appeared set for yet another title, the remaining fixtures served as a perfect opportunity for Sales to gain confidence.
"He has been quite positive. He's a player that we know...he usually changes the energy of the game. We need to have players on the bench who can enter and change something," coach Cardoso said in a post-match interview this past week.
"He can play more than one position. He can play #9, he can play in between lines...on the left, on the right. And that's what he has in characteristics which can bring a lot of confusion for opponents. He's quite skillful in finishing and is a player we believe (in) so much."
Sales started all but one match in Sundowns' final six league fixtures, accumulating four goals and three assists. In the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League, he failed to score but played in all four matches against Esperance de Tunis and Al Ahly in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
The improved form from Sales gives Cardoso quite a decision to make at the striker position. Peter Shalulile has an impeccable record for Sundowns in domestic competitions but has struggled to replicate his prolific goal record in the latter stages of the Champions League. Iqraam Rayners has rediscovered the potent form seen earlier in the season but has a modest record of three goals in nine Champions League games.
So with the first leg of a massive CAF Champions League final approaching against Egypt's Pyramids FC on Saturday, this stage provide Sales the opportunity to win universal adoration and the trust of skeptical Sundowns supporters. With his unique build and skillset, it is clear that Cardoso has been looking to build up Sales' confidence for this moment.
Now that he has rediscovered his scoring touch, it will be fascinating to see if Sales can make the difference for Cardoso and a Sundowns attack that has had to scrap their way past North Africa's top clubs. With opponents Pyramids eager to showcase their attacking football, the space and opportunities to score will be there for whoever Cardoso selects to lead the attacking line.
