Mamelodi Sundowns are on the brink of securing a new contract for goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, the captain of both the club and the South African national team, Bafana Bafana. The 32-year-old shot-stopper has been instrumental in Sundowns' recent successes, displaying exceptional form both domestically and on the continental stage.
Williams played a pivotal role in Bafana Bafana's impressive run to the semi-finals of the Afcon 2023 tournament, showcasing his talents on the international stage. His stellar performances for the national team have been mirrored at club level, where he has maintained an impressive record of eight clean sheets in 10 CAF Champions League appearances and 12 shutouts in 17 DStv Premiership matches. Notably, Williams made four crucial saves in a record-breaking penalty shootout during Afcon, securing South Africa's progression to the semi-finals. The negotiations between Sundowns and Williams are said to be nearing completion, with both parties expressing satisfaction with the proposed terms. Williams is reportedly delighted at the prospect of committing his future to Sundowns for the long term, highlighting the strong bond between player and club.
In addition to securing Williams' services, Sundowns have been active in bolstering their squad with new signings. The acquisition of Argentine playmaker Matias Esquivel, former Orlando Pirates star Thembinkosi Lorch, and ex-Borussia Dortmund winger Tashreeq Matthews demonstrates the club's ambition to maintain their dominance both domestically and on the continent. While Sundowns currently lead the DStv Premiership standings, their focus also remains on the CAF Champions League, where they face a challenging task in overcoming a 1-0 aggregate deficit against ES Tunis in the semi-final second leg. With aspirations of claiming continental glory, Sundowns are poised for a decisive clash as they aim to advance to the final of Africa's premier club competition.