Ronwen Williams says Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF Super Cup defeat will hurt ‘for a very long time’

Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams says the club’s CAF Super Cup defeat by USM Alger will remain painful for a long time, but believes the team must recover quickly with plenty still to play for in the 2026/27 season.

Williams returned to the starting line-up after spending a couple of weeks out with injury, while influential midfielder Teboho Mokoena also came back into the side. Both are important figures for club and country, with South Africa’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya approaching.

However, the pair could not prevent a surprise result at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday, as Confederation Cup champions USM Alger beat Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1.

“Obviously, it’s tough. This one will hurt for a very long time,” Williams said in the mixed zone after the match.

The goalkeeper called on Sundowns to assess their performance and rediscover the standards that had previously brought them success.

“We’ve got to reflect as a team as to where we are and what we once were. We need to get back to that,” he said.

“As tough as it is, we need to pick ourselves up. It’s going to be a long season. We just need to be better as a team, [and] draw strength from one another and keep growing.”

Williams was part of the Sundowns teams that suffered semi-final and final defeats in the Champions League before the club finally won the competition last season. He said Sunday’s loss ranked among the squad’s most difficult disappointments, although such setbacks were part of football.

“[There’s been] a lot of good moments and a lot of tough moments, a lot of moments that hurt so much. This is one of them, but we will keep going,” he added.

The result was particularly frustrating because it came at home, but Williams said Sundowns had to move forward rather than dwell on the defeat.

“You can’t win them all, but it’s disappointing to lose at home. We have to regroup and keep going.”

Williams is due to report to the Bafana camp this afternoon as South Africa begin preparations for their home and away qualifiers against 2027 AFCON co-hosts Kenya.

Kenya are led by Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy.