As he reflects on Sunday’s epic showdown in Cairo against Pyramids FC, Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams vividly describes the gut-wrenching feeling of conceding a late equaliser in the first-leg.
“It felt like someone had died,” Williams stated, recalling the moment the Egyptian side netted their crucial away goal with just 30 seconds left on the clock.
Undoubtedly, for the Sundowns players, who had led for the greater part of the second-half, the draw felt like a devastating loss. Heading into the June 30 Stadium on Sunday night, Masandawana face a formidable challenge.
However, Williams insists that the team is fully prepared to defy the odds and win the coveted second star. The Brazilians were crowned African champions in 2016, and since then, they have struggled to even reach the final. They now view this as their prime opportunity to finally get over the line and claim continental glory once more.
WHAT RONWEN WILLIAMS SAID ABOUT THE GOAL SUNDOWNS CONCEDED
“We’re excited to be here to be part of a historic match – the CAF Champions League final,” Williams told MSW. “It’s massive, this is why we play football – to be part and parcel of the biggest event in [club] soccer [on the continent].
“We’re excited and we’re looking forward to it. And I know this is years and years of hard work and sacrifice. I know how important it is for the entire Sundowns family, the club and supporters and all the players as well.”
While last weekend’s results were disappointing, the Bafana Bafana number one revealed “a positive thing the coach did”.
“I think the positive thing the coach did was to give us two days off after the game. It really felt like someone died in the change room…that’s the feeling we had, so those two days were important. Obviously, the next day was to reflect, and the second day after that, it was ok.
“We had renewed energy, now we’ve got another opportunity, and that’s the most important thing. And knowing Mamelodi Sundowns, playing away doesn’t change much for us. We know we can score goals; we can keep clean sheets away, so that’s just exciting times.”
He said they had done their analysis and reviewed three clips that show where they let it slip. After reflecting on those three clips, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso said, “That was not Mamelodi Sundowns.”
Come this Sunday, Williams has vowed, “the country and the continent will see the true Mamelodi Sundowns.”
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