Manqoba Mngqithi has backed Sundowns duo Miguel Cardoso for the Betway Premiership Coach of the Season and Lucas Ribeiro for Player of the Season.
Cardoso, who succeeded Mngqithi at Sundowns early in the season, has guided the Tshwane club to a record-extending eighth consecutive league title. Under his stewardship, Sundowns won 18 of their 21 league matches, suffering just two defeats and drawing once.
“For me, I’d give it (Coach of the Season) to Cardoso,” said Mngqithi. “The team has been consistent, strong defensively – conceding just 13 goals-and scored more than any other side with 65. If you don’t give it to him, why not? He deserves it.”
On the pitch, Ribeiro was central to Sundowns’ dominance. The Brazilian forward topped the league scoring charts with 16 goals, two more than teammate Iqraam Rayners, who also impressed. Mngqithi believes Ribeiro should be the frontrunner for the PSL Footballer of the Season award.
“I think Lucas deserves it. Iqraam is also close, but in my opinion, Lucas is probably at the top of the list to collect almost everything,” Mngqithi said.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has since confirmed that its annual awards ceremony has been postponed due to Sundowns’ packed international schedule, which includes the CAF Champions League final and the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.
“In recent seasons, the PSL awards ceremony has traditionally been held in June,” the league said in a statement. “However, due to Sundowns’ participation in both the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2024/25 CAF Champions League final, the league has decided to postpone this season’s PSL awards ceremony.”
New dates for the ceremony will be announced in due course.
Sundowns played to a 1-1 draw against Egypt’s Pyramids FC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final at Loftus Versfeld over the weekend. The decisive second leg is scheduled for this Sunday in Cairo (kickoff at 7pm CAT).
Following their continental final, Sundowns will shift focus to the Club World Cup in the United States. Drawn in Group F, they are set to face South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai (June 18), Borussia Dortmund (June 21), and Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense (June 25) in a challenging group campaign.
The global tournament kicks off on June 15 and concludes on July 13.