Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams has made it clear that his team is prepared to set aside its trademark style of exquisite, possession-based football if it means achieving the club’s ultimate dream of lifting the CAF Champions League trophy.
The captain, speaking on CAFTV ahead of their crucial second leg tie against Esperance, emphasized that while playing beautiful football is often a source of pride for Sundowns, winning is what truly matters.
“We’ve learned the hard way over the last few years that sometimes it isn’t about playing the perfect game. Sometimes it's about winning ugly. It's about just grinding out the result. And we just need the result, go all the way, lift the trophy and be happy.”
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The statement comes as Sundowns face a challenging encounter in Tunisia on Tuesday, after securing a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg of their tie at home.
Williams acknowledged that while their attacking display has typically seen them dominate matches, the team is willing to adjust its style if it means being ruthless in front of goal.
Reflecting on last year’s campaign, where Sundowns created numerous chances yet struggled to convert them, Williams was candid about the lessons learned.
“I think they've got the know-how and that's what we saw last year when we played them,” he noted, recalling that their opponents managed to score two goals from just a few shots, while Sundowns were left with over 30 chances with no goals to show.
“That’s the lesson we’ll take out of it – we need to be ruthless, we need to make sure that we take our chances.”
The captain’s comments underline a significant shift in mindset at the club as they pursue CAF glory—a trophy that has eluded them for nine years.
While the team is renowned for its flair and skill, Williams made it clear that for now, the focus is entirely on securing results. The players understand that achieving success in Africa’s premier club competition may require a more pragmatic approach, one that prioritizes grinding out victories over the aesthetics of the game.
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