Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena has explained the decision to play new signing and Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams in all the opening five games of the season.
Mokwena made it clear that the former SuperSport United goalkeeper was not the club’s number one goalkeeper.
The five straight starts resulted in many people assuming that he was now the main man between the sticks for the Tshwane outfit, relegating Denis Onyango.
“There is an emerging level of disrespect to say Ronwen [Williams] must walk into the team. You got probably one of the best, if not two of the best, most recognised goalkeepers of the continent in Kennedy [Mweene] and Dennis [Onyango],” Mokwena told the media.
“What helps us at Mamelodi Sundowns is competition. Football is competition. It is transmitted to competition for places in the team, competition in training for people to start.”
“Ronwen knows, like Dennis knows as Kennedy knows, that we all have to fight for our positions. I don’t think we are in that space where we’ve got someone who is a guaranteed starter.”
The ex-Orlando Pirates coach explained why the 30-year-old has been opted for than the duo of Onyango and Mweene.
“It’s what we see, what we feel and at the time who put up the hand. At the moment, Ronwen has done exceptionally well under the circumstances, incredible pressure on him to be able to come and perform as Bafana’s number one.”
“To try to keep his position as national team’s goalkeeper means he’s got to play at Sundowns. He came knowing he’s got to compete with some of the country’s best goalkeepers. Unfortunately, for the goalkeepers, only one can play, unlike many of the in-field positions.”
“Ronwen knows he’s got to compete by giving his best every single day at training, every single day in the matches. To relegate any of them to second choice will be extremely disrespectful,” he added.
The defending MTN8 champions host crosstown rivals SuperSport United in the last quarter-final of the competition on Sunday with bragging rights at stake.
Kickoff at Tuks Stadium is a 6pm.
