Ronwen Williams pays tribute to Sundowns fans after Historic CAF Champions League triumph

Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams has praised the club’s supporters after the South African side secured their second TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title in a decade with victory over Morocco’s AS FAR.

Sundowns sealed the continental crown after finishing with a 2-1 aggregate victory, ending years of frustration in Africa’s premier club competition and confirming their return to the summit of African football.

The triumph marked another landmark moment for the Pretoria-based club, whose first Champions League success came in 2016.

The final whistle sparked scenes of celebration among players, staff and supporters, with goalkeeper Williams leading the emotional reaction after years of near misses on the continental stage.

The South Africa international said the title was reward for the sacrifices made by the squad over several demanding seasons.

“We deserve it. What this team has been through not only this season, but the last five to six years knocking on the door every season. Playing non-stop, travelling the continent and not getting over the line,” said Williams.

“To the Sundowns technical staff, the players and the Masandawana family who have been with us through the difficulty, thank you for the support.”

For Sundowns, the victory represented more than simply lifting another trophy.

The club has consistently been considered one of the strongest teams in Africa over recent years, regularly progressing deep into the competition but falling short at crucial moments.

Their performances had often earned praise for style and consistency, yet the lack of continental success continued to follow the team.

This season, however, the South African champions finally converted their dominance into silverware.

Williams, who has become one of the key figures within the squad, acknowledged that criticism from supporters and observers also played a role in pushing the team forward.

“We also want to thank the fans for the criticism because we know what we are capable of. We know we are the pillar of South Africa – thank you so much,” Williams added.

The goalkeeper’s comments reflected the emotional weight carried by the squad throughout the campaign.

Sundowns entered the tournament with expectations already high due to their domestic dominance and previous continental performances.

Across the competition, the team showed resilience and tactical discipline, eventually overcoming AS FAR in a tightly contested final.

The Moroccan side pushed Sundowns throughout the two-legged contest, but the South Africans managed to protect their narrow advantage to secure the trophy.

Williams played an important role during the campaign, providing leadership from the back while producing several decisive performances.

His experience proved valuable in difficult away matches, where Sundowns were forced to manage intense pressure from opponents and hostile atmospheres.

The 34-year-old has become one of the faces of South African football in recent years, both with Sundowns and the national team, Bafana Bafana.

His influence within the dressing room has also grown steadily, particularly during the club’s repeated attempts to reclaim the African title.

Sundowns’ latest success strengthens their reputation as one of the continent’s elite clubs.

Winning the CAF Champions League for a second time places them among a select group of African teams capable of sustaining success across different generations.

The road to the title was not straightforward.

Over the past five to six years, the club regularly entered the latter stages of the competition only to suffer painful eliminations.

Those disappointments created pressure around the squad, especially as expectations continued to rise season after season.

Despite those setbacks, the club maintained faith in its long-term project and continued building a squad capable of competing against Africa’s strongest sides.

That patience has now been rewarded with another continental crown.

Williams’ tribute to supporters also highlighted the connection between the team and the wider Sundowns community, known as the “Masandawana” family.

Throughout the campaign, supporters followed the club across the continent, maintaining belief even during difficult moments.

The latest triumph now gives Sundowns another major chapter in the club’s history. A decade after first conquering Africa in 2016, they have once again climbed to the top of continental football.

For Williams and his teammates, the title is the culmination of years of persistence, disappointment and determination.

For the supporters, it is another unforgettable achievement that confirms Sundowns’ place among Africa’s football giants.