Betway Premiership: Ribeiro snatches top scorer honors as Mamelodi Sundowns celebrate title with victory
- Andrew Olsson
- 13 hours ago
- 1 min read
With their latest Betway Premiership title clinched, Mamelodi Sundowns were relaxed as they finished and celebrated their domestic league campaign on Sunday with a Lucas Ribeiro double leading them past Magesi FC.
The only thing to settle on Sunday was which Sundowns player would be the league's top scorer and it was the Brazilian who surged to top spot. Ribeiro was in competition with Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners for the honor and ironically, it was Rayners' 4th minute strike that ricocheted off Ribeiro for a goal the Brazilian was credited with.
But there was little doubt about who earned the credit for the second goal. In the 22nd minute, Sundowns midfielder Marcelo Allende played a free kick low across the edge of the Magesi penalty area and Ribeiro collected the ball before curling a shot well beyond the reach of a helpless Elvis Chipezeze in the Magesi goal. Ribeiro finishes the league campaign with 16 goals and 9 assists in 27 games.
Despite being credited for two less matches this season due to Royal AM's expulsion from the top flight, Sundowns equaled their total of 73 points from last season. They have now won eight consecutive South African titles and the focus now turns to bigger goals.
Potential continental glory awaits on May 24 when Sundowns host Egypt's Pyramids FC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final before the second leg takes place in Cairo on June 1. Then Sundowns will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup beginning in mid-June.
