Lucas Ribeiro set for Rulani Mokwena reunion in Libya? | OneFootball

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Rulani's Ittihad closing in on Ribeiro

Photo: Rulani Mokwena & Lucas Ribeiro

Foot Africa has been informed that Lucas Ribeiro Costa has reached an agreement in principle with Rulani Mokwena's Al-Ittihad Tripoli.

The pair worked together at Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2023/24 campaign where they almost clinched the league title unbeaten.

Sundowns also reached the CAF Champions League semi-final during that season, and lifted the inaugural African Football League (AFL).

Ribeiro played 37 matches across all competitions under Mokwena, chipping in with 16 goals and nine assists, in what was his debut campaign in African football.

He is currently in the books of Spanish second-tier outfit Cultural Leonesa, who are bottom-placed with 32 points from 37 games, and look poised to be relegated.

The 27-year-old attacker has somewhat become as shadow of his former self in Spain, having scored four goals with a solitary assist in 26 games across all competitions.

Ribeiro signed for the La Liga 2 outfit on a free transfer in September 2025 following his acrimonious exit at Chloorkop after impressing in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Sundowns reportedly rebuffed offers from the Middle East, Turkey, and Brazil, prompting the player to terminate his contract, citing the Diarra Law, with the intervention of FIFA.

Now, with his current deal at the Spanish club set to expire in June, sources have indicated the Brazilian has agreed personal terms with Al-Ittihad.

While the contract is yet to be signed, both parties are optimistic of striking total agreement as Ribeiro was requested by Mokwena in a bid to strengthen the attack.

The South African mentor has been tasked with building a squad capable of competing for the prestigious CAF Champions League title, having taken over the reins last month.

Ittihad, however, face competition from the Casablanca rivals in Raja and Wydad, alongside Esperance de Tunis, and Spanish clubs RCD Mallorca and CD Castellon.