Ex-Kaizer Chiefs forward explains why Mamelodi Sundowns' Lucas Ribeiro should win PSL Player of the Season over Orlando Pirates' Relebohile Mofokeng - 'He is a bit experienced and consistent'

Former Kaizer Chiefs forward Junior Khanye has pointed out why he feels Mamelodi Sundowns' Lucas Ribeiro should win the Premier Soccer League Player of the Season.

Khanye says the Masandawana star would be a more deserving player to scoop the coveted award over Orlando Pirates' Relebohile Mofokeng because of his experience and consistency.

“Ribeiro, and it’s close between him and Mofokeng,” Khanye told IDiski TV, as quoted by iDiski Times.

“The gap is not that big, but Ribeiro is a bit more experienced than Mofokeng, and he was consistent in many games.

"It’s only two games, the game he [Mofokeng] played against Kaizer Chiefs and the game against Arrows, where I saw the coach asking a lot from the boy by not playing him to his strength, asking him to do more, to defend. But he gave everything," he added.

“If Mofokeng still falls under that category, I think he overpowers everyone. And just to be straightforward, I give it to him.”

The former Amakhosi player also named his preferred winners in other categories. For the Young Player of the Season, Mofokeng is his candidate, while Sipho Chaine deserves the Goalkeeper of the Season, he says.

Khanye's Defender of the Season is Nkosinathi Sibisi, while his Midfielder of the Season is Sundowns' Teboho Mokoena.

Miguel Cardoso, who has already bagged the PSL with the Tshwane giants, is Khanye's Coach of the Season.

Both Mofokeng and Ribeiro are strong contenders for the Player of the Season award given how they have performed in the league, respectively.

The Pirates' youngster has been sensational and scored in high-profile games, including against Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.

Ribeiro, who has won three Goal of the Month awards, is considered more deserving given that he is the PSL title winner and is currently joint-top scorer at 14 goals alongside his teammate Iqraam Rayners.

Ribeiro has already been backed by his coach, Cardoso, to win the award.

With the PSL title race already settled, eyes are now keen on who will win the individual awards at the end of the season.

Sundowns are set to face Magesi FC on May 18, and this is their final game of the season. Mofokeng and his teammates have more matches given that Bucs have games in hand.

On May 17, the Sea Robbers will face TS Galaxy before a game against SuperSport United three days later. They will face AmaZulu and Magesi on May 24 and May 28, respectively.