Former Orlando Pirates defender Lucas Thwala has picked Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Lucas Ribeiro as the 2024/25 Betway Premiership Player of the Season.
The Brazilian is in his second season in South African football and has shined for Sundowns who clinched this season’s title, the side’s eighth in as many straight seasons in midweek. They also did it with a game to spare on 70 points and a record breaking 63 goals.
Ribeiro has scored 16 with nine assists on his way to getting his second championship gold medal.
Thwala, who won the 2009 Player of the Season accolade, sang the 26-year-old’s praises in his conversation with iDiski Times senior writer Matshelane Mamabolo in edition 204 of the newspaper.
“That guy is very dangerous,” Thwala told iDiski Times.
“He pretends he is slow and as a defender you will relax thinking you’ll close him down simply. But that guy is very smart, his lift is dangerous, and he is both skillful and speedy. He’s a guy who is always quiet but searching for pockets to run into – especially when he has a ball.
“He does not release the ball quickly so he can use his pace to leave you behind and go into the box. And he’s got a very good technique, especially around the 18-area, he can shoot or place the ball at the far post. He’s very good and yes, he was the best player in the PSL this season.”
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