Orlando Pirates Legend Names Mamelodi Sundowns Star As Player of the Season

• Orlando Pirates legend Lucas Thwala has unveiled his choice for the Player of the Season in the 2024/25 Betway Premiership campaign
• The former South African international opted for a Mamelodi Sundowns star as the best player in the Premier Soccer League this season
• Netizens also shared their thoughts on Thwala's take on the best player in the Betway Premiership this season on social media

Orlando Pirates legend Lucas Thwala has named Mamelodi Sundowns star Lucas Ribeiro Costa as the Player of the Season in the 2024/25 Betway Premiership due to his outstanding performance.

The Brazilian star won the league with the Pretoria giants, which is his second Betway Premiership title since joining the club. The Pretoria giants secured the title with a game to spare after beating Chippa United away from home, finishing the season with 70 points and setting a record with 63 goals scored.

The former Westerlo player scored 16 goals and provided nine assists in the league this season, claiming the Golden Boot award alongside his second championship gold medal.

Pirates legend names Sundowns star as Player of the Season

Thwala, in an interview with iDiskiTimes, shared his thoughts on picking Ribeiro as his best player in the Premier Soccer League this season.

The defender, who also won the Player of the Season award in the league in 2009, listed some of Ribeiro’s qualities that set him apart this campaign.

“That player is incredibly dangerous,” Thwala told iDiskiTimes.

“He plays as if he’s slow, which tricks defenders into underestimating him. But he’s very clever, his acceleration is lethal, and he combines skill with speed. He’s usually quiet on the pitch, always looking for gaps to exploit, especially when he’s got the ball.

“He doesn’t rush his passes, preferring instead to use his pace to outmanoeuvre defenders and break into the box.

“His technique is excellent, particularly around the penalty area, where he can either shoot or place the ball expertly at the far post. He’s very good and yes, he was the best player in the PSL this season.”

Ribeiro has also put up good performance in the CAF Champions League or the Pretoria giants. He score in the first leg of the competition's final against Pyramids FC and he's expected to feature in the second leg in Egypt.

Reactions as Thwala names Ribeiro as Player of the Season

@mevikd said:

"Ntate Thwala, knows Game."

Sims_Phiwe asked:

"What position does he play? Honest question, mid or an attacker?"

BamUyatandwa wrote:

"They will call Thwala names for being honest phela the chairmans fanbase think the whole psl revolves around them."

Mis-Maada added:

"Not Relebohile? Why?"

Themba Zwane names his Player of the Season

Briefly News also reported that Mamelodi Sundowns star Themba Zwane has chosen his Player of the Season for the 2024-25 Betway Premiership campaign.

The Bafana Bafana star ignored his fellow South African internationals to pick his club teammate as his choice for the best player in the league this season.

Source: Briefly News