Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Miguel Cardoso Provides Ronwen Williams Injury Update Ahead of CAF Champions League Return Leg - Diski 365
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has provided a reassuring update on goalkeeper Ronwen Williams after the Bafana Bafana captain missed the club's CAF Champions League encounter against Wiliete SC in Angola. Williams was absent from the matchday squad for Sunday's 0-0 draw in the first leg of the second preliminary round, raising questions about his fitness ahead of the return fixture.
However, Cardoso has indicated that the goalkeeper's injury concern is not expected to be serious and that the club hopes to have him back soon. The Sundowns medical team had already confirmed before kick-off that Williams and Aubrey Modiba would miss the match because of short-term injuries.
With the second leg scheduled to take place in Tshwane on Friday, the latest update offers encouragement to the defending African champions as they prepare for a crucial continental encounter. Cardoso explained that Williams experienced discomfort after a minor contact during a training session on Saturday.
The Portuguese coach said the club decided not to risk the goalkeeper because continuing to train or play could have exposed him to a more serious problem. According to Cardoso, the decision was a precautionary measure intended to protect the player rather than a sign of a major injury.
The coach also expressed confidence that Williams could recover promptly, although he did not confirm an exact date for his return. His comments suggest that Sundowns are monitoring the situation carefully while prioritising the goalkeeper's fitness for upcoming matches.
The Sundowns coach's update will come as a relief to supporters who understand the importance of Williams to the team. As captain of Bafana Bafana and one of Sundowns' key players, he brings experience, leadership and composure to the defensive unit.
His presence can help organise the back line, communicate with defenders and provide confidence during difficult moments in a match. Goalkeepers also play a crucial role in starting attacks through their distribution and decision-making under pressure.
Although Sundowns managed to keep a clean sheet against Wiliete without him, having their first-choice goalkeeper available would strengthen their options for the decisive return fixture. Before the match in Angola, Sundowns team doctor Dr Carl Kgabo Tabane confirmed that Williams and Modiba would be unavailable because of short-term injuries.
The doctor indicated that neither problem was considered serious, offering an initial sign that the absences were precautionary rather than long-term setbacks. Cardoso's subsequent comments about Williams provided further context, explaining that the goalkeeper had experienced pain after contact during training.