Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has provided the latest update on captain Ronwen Williams’ absence following their 2-1 loss to Al Hilal Omdurman at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday.
It was Masandawana’s second defeat in Group C of the CAF Champions League this season. They are now second with two matches to play against FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo [away] and MC Alger [home].
The result elevates Al-Hilal to eight points, giving them sole possession of first place in the group. It positions them strongly as the competition enters its crucial final phase.
Meanwhile, this was the second consecutive match that the 2016 CAF champions played without their number one goalkeeper. He was a notable absentee when Sundowns beat Sekhukhune United 2-0 in a Betway Premiership clash at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday.
WHY RONWEN WILLIAMS HAS BEEN MISSING FOR THE PAST TWO MATCHES
Miguel has since revealed that Williams could soon be back in action as his injury is not long-term.
“That is a good question for our medical department. At the moment, I can not tell you when he will be available,” he told the media.
“It’s not a long-term injury. But I just worry about the ones that are present. In our previous match, we played in our championship [Betway Premiership]. Denis had a fantastic save that allowed us to fight until the end and win that match.”
MIGUEL CARDOSO DEFENDS GOALKEEPER DENIS ONYANGO AFTER DEFEAT IN RWANDA
The 53-year-old says a defeat can’t be solely on the goalkeeper but the whole team as a collective.
“I don’t usually analyse the games in that way because the ball is in the goals and passes the goalkeeper, you have several actions from other players that lead to that decides the moment,” he said.
“It’s like when a team loses, it is not only the coach who is responsible. There are multiple responsibilities, but as a leader of the group, I have to take them, of course. But it’s an analysis that we have to take deeply so that we see the mistakes.”
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