Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams has defended the club's goalkeeping department and offered support to Kaizer Chiefs' Brandon Petersen. Williams spoke out after his Man of the Match performance in a 2-0 Betway Premiership win over newly-promoted Milford FC this week.
The national team skipper used the platform to address what he sees as unfair scrutiny of goalkeepers across the league. Sundowns finished the 2025 season in second place in the Premier Soccer League, just one point behind champions Orlando Pirates. They scored 57 goals and conceded 21 on their way to 68 points from 30 games.
What did Ronwen Williams say about the criticism?
Ronwen Williams gave an emotional response to questions about recent performances. "We've been winning every game, but our department has been getting a lot of criticism because we've been conceding a lot of goals," the Sundowns goalkeeper said. He stressed that the entire defensive unit shares responsibility for goals conceded, not only the man between the posts. Williams also paid tribute to the late Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams during a recent memorial service in Stellenbosch, highlighting the personal challenges players face beyond the pitch.
His defence extended beyond his own club. Williams specifically mentioned Brandon Petersen, who plays for rivals Kaizer Chiefs. "Brandon Petersen, he was amazing last season; now he's going through things, but he will reach there again, and that's the nature of the beast," Williams stated. This public show of solidarity is rare between players of two fiercely competitive clubs. You can see how Sundowns' defensive record compares on our stats page.
Who are the goalkeepers Williams mentioned?
Williams named several goalkeepers in his show of support. Alongside Petersen, he referenced his current Sundowns colleagues Ricardo Goss, Denis Onango, and Ree Pietersen. He also mentioned goalkeeping coach Kennedy and former teammate Sipho Chaine. This broad mention indicates his view that criticism is a league-wide issue for players in his position.
The Sundowns captain's own form has been strong. His clean sheet against Milford FC helped maintain the club's unbeaten start to the new league campaign. The victory was a professional display against a newly-promoted side, with the two-goal margin reflecting their control. The club's final 2025 form guide read LWDWW, showing consistency at the business end of the season.
What is the context for Sundowns' season?
Mamelodi Sundowns are building from a position of strength. Finishing second last season with a +36 goal difference shows a team that scores freely while being generally solid at the back. The one-point gap to Orlando Pirates sets up another intense title race for the new campaign. The current unbeaten run suggests they have carried that momentum forward.
Williams' leadership extends beyond his saves. By defending his peers, he is taking pressure off his own squad and build a supportive environment. This is important for a department that often faces the most direct scrutiny after any mistake. The team's overall standings position is a collective achievement, something Williams was keen to emphasise.
How does this affect the squad dynamic?
Public backing from a captain and star player can boost morale within the goalkeeping group. For young keepers like Onango and Pietersen, hearing this support is valuable. It also reinforces the message from goalkeeping coach Kennedy, creating a unified front. This internal belief is vital for a club with Sundowns' ambitions.
The next challenge for Williams and his defenders is to translate this solidarity into more clean sheets. Their next fixtures are important as they look to overtake Orlando Pirates at the top of the table. You can follow their progress on our fixtures schedule. Ronwen Williams will wear the number one shirt for Mamelodi Sundowns in their next Betway Premiership match.
