Like a midfield maestro orchestrating a symphony under floodlights, Lucas Ribeiro Costa danced his way through the 2024/25 Premier Soccer League season—and on Tuesday night, he rightfully claimed his crown.
At the PSL Awards, the Mamelodi Sundowns talisman completed a dazzling hat-trick of accolades—and then some—emerging as Footballer of the Season, Players' Player, Top Goal Scorer, and Goal of the Season winner.
Ribeiro didn’t just top the charts; he rewrote the rhythm of the game. His performances weren’t just efficient—they were electric.
Week after week, he threaded passes like silk through the eye of a needle, bulldozed defences with samba flair, and conjured goals with the audacity of a street baller on the biggest stage.
The crown jewel? A goal that shimmered with genius—“moments of magic,” the league dubbed it, “that thrilled fans.”
With a strike like a meteor slicing across a winter sky, Ribeiro's season-defining goal lit up stadiums and solidified his status as the league’s MVP.
The Next Generation Kicks Off
If Ribeiro was the general, Relebohile Mofokeng was the breakout starlet dancing into the spotlight.
The Orlando Pirates prodigy bagged both Young Player of the Season and MTN8 Last Man Standing, showing composure beyond his years and feet blessed with mischief.
Mofokeng’s teammates added more silver to the Buccaneers’ trophy room. Makhehleni Makhaula took Midfielder of the Season, while Nkosinathi Sibisi anchored the backline to earn Defender of the Season.
In goal, Sipho Chaine stood tall—Goalkeeper of the Season was his reward for weeks of acrobatic brilliance.
Other Big Winners
Kaizer Chiefs found their bright spark in Pule Modi, who was crowned Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament, while Mbekezeli Mbokazi took the nod as Most Promising Player.
Magesi FC’s Elvis Chipezeze kept his gloves hot to win the Carling Knockout Player of the Tournament.
In the DStv Diski Challenge, Tylon Smith (Stellenbosch FC) shone brightest as Player of the Season, while Pirates’ Siphamandla Msezane clinched the golden boot.
Down in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, Muzomuhle Khanyi of Hungry Lions stalked defences like a panther—ending as both Top Scorer and Players’ Player.
Durban City and Orbit College kicked the promotion door open, led by the rock-solid hands of Dumisani Msibi, the Goalkeeper of the Season.
On the Touchline
The Sundowns’ symphony wouldn’t have played in tune without conductor Miguel Cardoso, who deservingly lifted the Coach of the Season trophy.
Off the pitch, Masixolo Bambiso and Kgara Mokoena were hailed as Referee and Assistant Referee of the Season respectively.
The League Table of Honour
- Betway Premiership Champions: Mamelodi Sundowns;
- Motsepe Foundation Championship Winners: Durban City;
- DStv Diski Challenge Champs: Kaizer Chiefs Reserves
As the confetti settles and the boots are laced for a new campaign, Ribeiro’s golden trail remains etched in memory.
In a season brimming with raw flair, seasoned steel, and rising stars, the message was loud and clear: South African football is not just alive—it’s dancing to a beat only it can create.
