Cardoso backs Ribeiro for player of the season

by Staff Reporter

Thursday May 08, 2025. 15:00

As Mamelodi Sundowns close in on an eighth consecutive South African league title, head coach Miguel Cardoso believes that Lucas Ribeiro Costa deserves to be named Betway Premiership player of the season.

Cardoso described Ribeiro as “clearly the player of the league this season” after his side’s 3-0 win over Chippa United on Wednesday.

The Brazilian national has played a crucial role in Sundowns’ campaign, registering 13 goals and seven assists in 24 league appearances for Masandawana this season.

“He will probably be elected Player of the Season with the stats he has, the numbers he has this season is amazing, on goals and assists, and quality action, I think he’s a player that brings something different to the pitch,” said Cardoso.

“If we see the goals he’s scored, the beautiful goals he scored, the moments he’s carried the team forward, it’s a team that promotes a player but also Lucas had moments where he helped the team a lot.”

“For me he is the favourite candidate, I don’t see anyone expressing the level as Lucas did for so long and even in the previous year,” he stated.

The award has been won by Sundowns players for the last four seasons, going to Themba Zwane in 2019/20 followed by Peter Shalulile for two consecutive seasons, and Teboho Mokoena last season.

Masandawana are nine points ahead of Orlando Pirates at the top of the Betway Premiership table. They will look to add another three points to their tally when they face Stellenbosch FC at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Sunday.

By Nic Gleeson