Ronwen Williams hits back at critics and backs Brandon Petersen

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has defended goalkeepers across South African football after answering criticism of his department following his side’s 2-0 victory over newly promoted Milford FC.

Williams was named Man of the Match after producing several important saves to help Sundowns maintain their winning run. Despite the clean sheet, he said goalkeepers had faced scrutiny during a period in which the team had conceded more goals than expected.

Speaking to SuperSport TV after the match, Williams said the demands placed on Sundowns’ goalkeepers were particularly challenging because they are expected to contribute to the team’s style of play rather than simply remain on their goal line.

“We’ve been winning each and every game, but our department has been getting a lot of criticism because we’ve been conceding a lot of goals,” he said on SuperSport TV.

“We know how difficult it is, especially how we want our keepers to play. It can be easy for me just stand on my line and be a line goalkeeper, but that’s not what is required at a team like Sundowns.

“So I’m always involved, Ricardo [Goss], all the [keepers]. This is to our department, to Denis [Onyango], Ricardo, to Reyaad [Pieterse], and especially to coach Kennedy.

“The criticism we’ve taken… and we just keep going. And not only here, it’s the whole league. I want Sipho Chaine to keep going, doing his best.

“Brandon Petersen, he was amazing last season, now he’s going through things but he will reach there again and that’s the nature of the beast.

“So I’m proud of all the keepers and I always encourage them to keep going and we must keep pushing our position even higher and higher. We changed how goalkeepers are being looked at now and I’m just glad. This is for all the goalkeepers.”

Williams’ comments included support for Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, who he believes can rediscover his form after a difficult spell. Petersen impressed during the previous season but has since come under pressure, prompting Williams to urge patience.

The Sundowns captain also mentioned Chaine, encouraging the goalkeeper to continue working hard, while making clear that his message was not limited to his own club. He said criticism of goalkeepers was a league-wide issue and praised the efforts of his teammates Ricardo Goss, Denis Onyango and Reyaad Pieterse.

Williams indicated that Sundowns’ goalkeeping department accepts the demands of playing in an ambitious team, including the expectation that its goalkeeper will be involved in possession and build-up play. He argued that those responsibilities can leave goalkeepers exposed to criticism, but said the group would continue trying to raise the profile and standards of the position.

His performance against Milford FC provided a timely response, with the goalkeeper making the decisive interventions that secured another victory for Sundowns.