Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams believes the club’s strong start to the season can give them the confidence they need ahead of Saturday’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli.
Sundowns have made an impressive start to the domestic campaign, sitting at the top of the Betway Premiership standings while also reaching the MTN8 final.
Williams said the team’s current form would hopefully carry into the Intercontinental Cup final, which will be played at Loftus Versfeld.
It’s obviously key and important to start the season on a positive note, and we’ve done that. We’ve done extremely well in the league, and obviously in the MTN8, we’re in the final,” Williams said.
“The big one to look forward to now is the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Al Ahli. The form that we’ve been in has obviously been good, and it will hopefully carry us through into the final on Saturday.”
Williams expects a difficult encounter against the reigning Asian champions, who boast several players with World Cup experience, including Ivory Coast international Franck Kessié, Brazilian defender Roger Ibañez, Turkish international Merih Demiral, Portugal’s Trincão and England striker Ivan Toney.
He also highlighted Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, whom he will face for the first time.
Mendy is someone that I know quite well, having watched his career and seen him achieve amazing things with Senegal. It’ll be good to finally face him,” Williams said.
The Bafana Bafana captain believes the final will provide Sundowns with an opportunity to measure themselves against some of the best players competing in the Saudi Pro League.
He also pointed to Sundowns’ own World Cup representation, particularly midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who has reportedly attracted interest from Saudi Arabia.
Tebogo scored at the World Cup, he’s scored at AFCON, he’s scored in all the big tournaments that we’ve played. So obviously, I’m sure they will keep an eye on him,” Williams said.
Williams acknowledged that Al Ahli possess significant attacking quality and warned that Sundowns cannot afford to waste opportunities.
They’re a team that scores a lot of goals. They score close to three goals per game, but they also concede a lot of goals,” he said.
“We’ve been scoring so many goals, but uncharacteristic of us, we’ve been conceding as well. Hopefully, we can rectify our mistakes.”
The goalkeeper said Sundowns’ previous encounters with top Saudi opposition, including Al Hilal during pre-season, had highlighted the ruthlessness required at the highest level.
Against Al Hilal, Sundowns created several opportunities and dominated possession but were punished after their opponents converted their limited chances.
At that level, they hurt you. They make sure that they take the chances,” Williams said.
“Against Al Hilal, at the World Cup, at the Club World Cup, in the Champions League, you’re not going to get so many chances. You need to make sure the chance you get, you bury.”
With the winner set to progress towards a potential clash with European champions Paris Saint-Germain, Williams described the occasion as a major opportunity for Sundowns and urged supporters to fill Loftus Versfeld.
I urge everyone, make sure that you get your tickets because it’s going to be a wonderful game, an open game at Loftus, at our fortress,” he said.
“Masandawana, come out, let’s get that first trophy to the club and let’s celebrate together what we’ve achieved.”
Williams said the magnitude of the occasion had already given him “goosebumps”, with Sundowns seeking to become the ultimate club champions after winning the African title.
It’s massive. It’s big,” he said. “This is African champions up against the Asian champions, and it’s a pathway to play against the Champions League champs of Europe, which is PSG.
“We’ve got this step now, first step is against Al Ahli. We’re excited, we’re looking forward to it, and hopefully it can be a good spectacle.”