“I’m disappointed, I think he [Lucas Ribeiro] has been phenomenal, he’s just been unlucky with injuries. He hasn’t played so many games in his career and that caught up a bit,” said Mokwena when he was asked about Ribeiro missing out on Footballer of the Season award nominee.
“He’s the best footballer, the best human being and one of the best players I’ve ever coached from a gift point of view and I think he can improve so much more.
“That’s probably the even scarier part because, in his first season, he has performed the way he has performed. But I could say the same about Marcelo Allende, it’s disappointing not to see him amongst the nominees.
“I think Sailor [Khuliso Mudau] has had a good season also, and he’s not part the Defender of the Season at the very least.
“But it’s okay, you can’t have your cake and eat it, can you? We’ve got to celebrate the nomination of Ronwen [Williams], and Tebza. Mine is that, I’m just nominated because I coach very good players and I’m humbled to be in that space.”The Brazilians suffered their first defeat of the 2023/24 campaign after losing 1-0 against Cape Town City.
Sundowns have been dominant in the league after winning 22 matches, drawing seven while losing only once in 30 games. Before losing to CT City, Downs came close to finishing the just-ended season with an invincible feat.
Meanwhile, the Tshwane giants also won the inaugural African Football League [AFL] after beating Wydad Casablanca 3-2 on aggregate in the final last year October.
In a season where Sundowns showed an impressive run of form, a handful of players produced consistent performances.
Sundowns have Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, and Grant Kekana who are nominated for different categories for the 2024 PSL Awards.The Soweto-born tactician, Rulani said he was disappointed that players like Marcelo Allende, Khuliso Mudau, and Lucas Ribeiro are not amongst the nominees.
