Mamelodi Sundowns forward Lucas Ribeiro has been backed by his former teammate and friend Gaston Sirino to win the Footballer…
Mamelodi Sundowns forward Lucas Ribeiro has been backed by his former teammate and friend Gaston Sirino to win the Footballer of the Season Award.
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Ribeiro was pipped by Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in the race for last season’s award. But he is the favourite this time around, on the back of another tremendous campaign.
Sundowns’ Ribeiro ‘a top player’
The 26 year-old Brazilian has 16 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions..
“Lucas Ribeiro is a top player and my friend,” said Sirino at Kaizer Chiefs training this week.
“I think he has the quality to be player of the season … the numbers are there … he plays very well in every game. For me he is the best player in South Africa right now.”
Ribeiro will get a chance to add to his tally when Sundowns take on Chippa United at Loftus Stadium in the Betway Premiership this evening.
The Tshwane giants are closing in on an eighth consecutive Premiership title, and will hope to seal the deal as soon as possible, with a Caf Champions League final to prepare for at the end of May.
Ribeiro could do with getting back on the goal trail soon, as he is going through a bit of a lull, though it is not stopping Sundowns from powering towards more silverware.
The Brazilian has scored just once, and provided four assists in his last ten Premiership appearances for Masandawana.
That contrasts with the form of Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners, who has five goals and six assists in his last eight league matches.
The bonus for Sundowns is that their squad is so strong that there always seems to be someone to fill the gap.
Masandawana will be playing Chippa United for the first time this season at Loftus, with the away game against the Chilli Boyz coming just eight days later.
Too much class
Sundowns should have too much class for Chippa, who have snuck into the top eight but are without a win in their last four league matches.
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It is a sign of just how tight the mid-to-bottom of the Premiership table is that while Chippa are 31 points behind Sundowns, they are just seven ahead of 15th-placed Cape Town City.
