Mamelodi Sundowns are on the road for their first encounter in the 2022/23 DStv Premiership as they visit Peter Mokaba Stadium to take on Sekhukhune United. Masandawana have been putting finishing touches on their preparations to defend their title in the domestic league, with their first league game around the cornerDowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams took some time to share his insights and reflections on what lies ahead.
“We’ve obviously done our analysis,we came back obviously from our international tour and this week we focused solely on Sekhukhune. We’ve been watching a lot of clips to study them and lucky for us we have Samy Seabi that was playing for them so obviously he helped us with giving us a lot of input so that will help. We want as much as possible to be ready in every aspect and in helping us with the finer details you know we help as well so yeah We’ve been working out tirelessly on the field as well as you know in the boardroom, and watching the clips, studying them and coming up with a plan.”
“We see ourselves as the best team on the continent, but in saying that we know we’ve got a lot of guns aiming at us so we need to get ready for that. We need to roll up our sleeves and even be much better than last season because like I said last season we were extremely good, but it takes more than that. You need to dig deep and find that you know what it takes to get over the line. We need to dig deep as a team,we need to be mentality monsters this season and nothing must affect us on or off the field. We need to be strong mentally, be one team and be united. We need to learn from last season and show that we learnt by going a step ahead in this season.’
The South African international goalie joined the club during the 2022/23 season where he went on to play the highest number of games amongst the goalkeepers. Williams did not shy away from providing invaluable insights into the upcoming season and reflect on the lessons learned from last year’s campaign where Masandawana were unfortunate to exit the CAF Champions League competition in the semifinals.
“It was a tough one, we played a wonderful brand of football and we did extremely well, but obviously disappointed that we only managed to win only 1-cup , which was the league. Obviously it’s important to win but at Sundowns we drive to winning all the competitions. A lot of learning curves along the way and last season was used as a stepping stone for even greater things to come this season. I think the lesson that stands out the most is obviously the Champions League and how tough that competition is. You need to take your chances when given the opportunity to win that tournament, you need to make sure that you do it and I feel last season we had that opportunity. I mean we went unbeaten in the competition and not to win it, obviously it was a setback and we need to learn from that. Setplays play such a vital role in football these days so we need to be better in that department.”
As The Brazilians gear up for the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead, Ronza expressed the desire to see the yellow nation back in the stands, he said: “They are that extra motivation, it’s been tough these last two months not seeing them. They drive the team and when things are tough they get behind us, once we hear the band going it gets us going and you can see it in our game.”
“Sometimes when their spirits are low it rubs off on us, so it’s give and take and also we need each other. I would just like to urge all Masandawana to come out in numbers, get behind the boys [because] we need you guys every step of the way, each and every game. We need you guys early games, late kick-offs, we need you guys. You are that extra motivation that pushes us to do even better.”
Mamelodi Sundowns lock horns with Sekhukhune United in the DStv Premiership at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, August 4. Kick off is at 19h30 on SuperSport TV.