Ronwen Williams lauds Lucas Ribeiro ahead of Orlando Pirates showdown

The two sides meet in a top-of-the-table Betway Premiership fixture at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with high-profile talent set to be on display on both ends.

Williams believes Ribeiro, who is the current top goal scorer in the league with seven strikes, has been a revelation since his arrival at Sundowns due to his consistency and attitude.

"Special – a special player, a special talent – he's just special. He brings that Brazilian flare they're known to have, and besides that he's also willing to learn," Williams told the media.

"There are a lot of things the coach and players want for him to do – especially the counter-press, and we always fight with him to do it, and [Wednesday] you saw that.

"It's just key for him to remain humble, calm and just consistent, which he has been since he joined, it's amazing coming into a different country and just doing it each and every game."

On coming up against The Buccaneers, the skipper noted the similarities between the two sides as they meet at a time when the stakes are as high as ever, on the back of great form both domestically and in the CAF Champions League.

"Both teams have been playing well and doing well, we know this game is won on small margins. If you look at the last few games we've played against them, it hasn't been high scoring, but the football has been of the highest quality," he noted.

"And it's two powerhouses of South African football, who are doing so well in Africa now, so it's going to be a good game, but it's going to unite the country [because] this is the game everyone has been looking forward to.

"It's also come at a perfect time for both teams, who are both playing a good quality brand of football, and when we have to grind out results, both teams know how to do that as well, and they know how to play good football, so it's going to be a good game."

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Kick-off is scheduled for 15:30, with LIVE coverage available on SABC 1, SABC + App, and SABC Radio Stations.