NEWS: Head coach Rulani Mokwena lambasts Mamelodi Sundowns’ Lucas Ribeiro missing out on Footballer of the Season nomination

Ribeiro arrived at Momelodi Sundowns with a high reputation at the start of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season from SK Beveren in Belgium.

READ: Mamelodi Sundowns’ Rulani Mokwena defends Mothobi Mvala after bitter-sweet end to the DStv Premiership season

The 25-year-old attacker had an impressive campaign at Sundowns as he played 36 games with 16 goals and eight assists across all competitions.

“I’m disappointed, I think he has been phenomenal, he has just been unlucky with injuries,” said Mokwena.

“He hasn’t played so many games in his career and that caught up a little bit with him but he is a phenomenal footballer and phenomenal human being.

“He is one of the best players I have coached from a gift perspective and still a player that I still think can improve so much more.

“And that’s probably an even scarier thought that in his first season with what he has done, performed and I can say the same about Marcelo Allende it’s disappointing also not to see him among the nominees.

“I think Sailor (Mudau) had a good season also and him also not being part of the defenders 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 nominations of Ronwen, the nominations of Scara (Ntando Nkosi) who I think has been superb with the Diski especially, and the nominations of Tebza (Mokoena).”

Mamelodi Sundowns will face Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 15:00.