‘This is a team that always promotes the player but Lucas had moments where he helped the team a lot,’ Cardoso said.
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has backed Lucas Ribeiro as the standout candidate for the PSL Footballer of the Season award. The Brazilian forward has been in outstanding form throughout the campaign and currently tops the Betway Premiership scoring chart with 13 goals.
Coaches to decide
The prestigious award is determined by votes from all top-flight head coaches, with each coach allowed a single vote. However, they are not permitted to vote for a player from their own team.
ALSO READ: How unwavering family love fuels SA’s rising star Rele Mofokeng
When asked who he felt deserved to be named the new king of South African football, the Portuguese coach understandably picked Ribeiro for the coveted accolade. In doing this he follows Kaizer Chiefs’ Gaston Sirino, who said the same this week about his friend at Amakhosi training.
“If we look at the beautiful goals that he (Ribeiro) has scored and the moments that he helped carry the team forward, obviously, this is a team that always promotes the player but Lucas had moments where he helped the team a lot,” Cardoso said.
Sundowns’ Ribeiro ‘the favourite candidate’
“For me, I think he’s the favourite candidate and I don’t see anyone expressing such a level that Lucas has done for so long. Even in the previous year but you relate to this current season but Lucas was consistent even in the last year.
“Even this year, he has expressed things that are very difficult to see and that obviously has to do with the work that the team has done but also in his own capacity. I will be happy if he wins it because I think it’s completely fair if he becomes the player of the season.”
ALSO READ: Sundowns’ Lebusa – We know what to do
Sundowns and Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams is the reigning footballer of the season after winning the award last year.
