Ronwen Williams urges goalkeepers to keep pushing after Sundowns clean sheet

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has called on goalkeepers across the Premier Soccer League to persevere through criticism, saying difficult periods are simply “the nature of the beast”.

The Bafana Bafana captain delivered a Man of the Match performance as Sundowns defeated Betway Premiership newcomers Milford FC 2-0 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday.

Williams’ display helped Sundowns secure a clean sheet, but the goalkeeper used his post-match interview to focus on the wider challenges faced by players in his position rather than on his own individual award.

He said the reaction of goalkeeper coach Kennedy Mweene after the match underlined the importance of the result for a department that has faced criticism despite the club continuing to win games.

“You know how difficult the position is. The job that we have to do as goalkeepers, we have been winning each and every game but yet our department has been getting a lot of criticism because we have been conceding a lot of goals,” Williams said on SuperSport TV.

Williams explained that Sundowns require their goalkeepers to contribute beyond making saves on the goal line. The demands placed on the position include playing an active role in the team’s approach, which can leave goalkeepers exposed to additional scrutiny when mistakes or goals are conceded.

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

“So, I’m always involved, Ricardo [Goss], all of us, to Denis, to Ricardo, to Reyaad and especially to coach Kennedy, the criticism we have taken, we just keep going and it’s not only here, it’s the whole league.”

The 33-year-old’s comments also carried a message of support for goalkeepers beyond the Sundowns squad. Rather than concentrating solely on his own performance, Williams praised colleagues who have faced pressure or endured difficult spells during the season.

He specifically encouraged Sipho Chaine to continue working hard and backed Brandon Petersen to return to his best after a challenging period.

“I want Sipho Chaine to keep going, keep doing the best. Brandon Petersen, he was amazing last season, now he’s going through things but he will reach there again and that is the nature of the beast,” he added.

Williams said he was proud of goalkeepers throughout the league and believed the position had gained greater recognition in recent years.

“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.

“I mean, we have changed the way goalkeepers are being looked at now, so, I’m just glad and this is for all the goalkeepers.”

The victory over Milford moved Sundowns level with Orlando Pirates, with the Pretoria club continuing its campaign with Williams and his fellow goalkeepers underlining the importance of resilience at the back.