Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Gaston Sirino has backed his former Mamelodi Sundowns teammate, Lucas Ribeiro, as his choice for the Premier Soccer League Footballer of the Season.
Ribeiro has delivered a standout campaign for the Brazilians, racking up 16 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions.
Having shared the field with Ribeiro for several seasons at Sundowns before his recent move to Kaizer Chiefs, Sirino speaks from experience.
Read: Gaston Sirino Reveals Decisive Factor Between Masandwana and Kaizer Chiefs
Ahead of the highly anticipated Nedbank Cup final in Durban this weekend, where his current team, Amakhosi, will clash with Orlando Pirates, Sirino voiced his strong belief in Ribeiro’s candidacy.
As quoted in The Citizen, Sirino stated emphatically, “Lucas Ribeiro is a top player and my friend.” He further elaborated, saying, “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 was a strong contender for the award last season but ultimately lost out to his Sundowns teammate, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. With Sundowns on the verge of securing their eighth consecutive Premiership title, Ribeiro will have another opportunity to showcase his talent when they face Chippa United on Tuesday night, potentially adding to his already compelling statistics.
Sirino’s transfer to Chiefs as a free agent ahead of the 2024/25 season followed a period at Sundowns where he found consistent starting opportunities under then-coach Rulani Mokwena increasingly limited.
During his successful seven-year spell with the Brazilians, the Montevideo native established himself as a key player, amassing over 200 appearances across all competitions, contributing a notable 41 goals and 44 assists.
His trophy cabinet from his Masandawana tenure is impressive, boasting seven league titles and the inaugural African Football League (AFL) trophy.
Now, the 34-year-old is expected to be instrumental in their quest to reclaim their status as a dominant force in South African football. So far this season, he has featured in 23 matches across all competitions for Amakhosi, registering three goals and six assists.