Rhulani Mokwena says Ronwen Williams doesn't have guaranteed number 1 spot at Sundowns

Rhulani Mokwena says Ronwen Williams doesn’t have guaranteed number 1 spot at Sundowns – Photo: Twitter @Sundowns_Xtra

Rhulani Mokwena: Ronwen Williams not guaranteed No 1 spot at Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena has insisted Ronwen Williams isn’t their first choice goalkeeper.

Rhulani Mokwena says Ronwen Williams doesn't have guaranteed number 1 spot at Sundowns

Rhulani Mokwena says Ronwen Williams doesn’t have guaranteed number 1 spot at Sundowns – Photo: Twitter @Sundowns_Xtra

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena has insisted Ronwen Williams isn’t their first-choice goalkeeper despite having started all their matches this season.

The 30-year-old appeared to have claimed the spot between the Brazilians’ posts since joining from cross-town rivals SuperSport United at the beginning of the season.

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The Bafana Bafana captain also started against his former side on Sunday in their 2-0 MTN8 quarter-final victory.

Mokwena says it would be “disrespectful” to say Williams is now the number one goalie at Mamelodi Sundowns in the presence of the club’s long-serving shot-stoppers Denis Onyango and Kennedy Mweene.

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RONWEN WILLIAMS NOT GUARANTEED NO 1 SPOT

“It will be disrespect if we were just to say that Ronwen must walk into the team,” he said as per TimesLIVE.

“You have probably one of the best, if not two of the best, and most recognisable goalkeepers on the continent in Kennedy and Denis.

“What helps us at Mamelodi Sundowns is competition and that is football. Football is competition — it is two teams against each other for 90 minutes. But that is also transmitted into competition for places in the team at training for people to start.

“Ronwen, Denis and Kennedy know we have to fight for our positions and operate the best we can if given the opportunity. Therefore I don’t think we are in a space where we’ve got someone who is a guaranteed starter.”

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Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams – Photo: Twitter @Sundowns_Xtra

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Mokwena added that he understands Williams has to play frequently in order to keep his number one spot in the national team.

“It is what we see, what we feel, at the time, who puts up the hand – and at the moment Ronwen has done exceptionally well under the circumstances,” he added.

“There is incredible pressure on him to come in and perform as Bafana Bafana No 1, to try to keep his position in the national team. That means he has to play at Sundowns. He came knowing that he has to compete with some of the country’s best goalkeepers.

“Unfortunately only one goalkeeper can play – unlike infield positions, where if you are competing in the midfield there are various other positions that you can participate in if you have a lot of flexibility. Look at Thapelo Morena or Tebza [Teboho Mokoena] or Neo [Maema], they have been playing in various positions this season.

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“With goalkeepers it is extremely difficult, but Ronwen knows that he has to compete by giving his best every single day at training and during matches.

“Because not only do you have very talented goalkeepers in that space but you also have good human beings. Last season when we called upon Kennedy against Al Ahly he was phenomenal in that game.

“You can go over to the last five to six seasons and when Kennedy came on and did the job for Sundowns, he has been exceptional. And therefore to relegate any of them to second or third choice would be extremely disrespectful.

“We don’t operate in that space. Sometimes we are unfair but we try our level best to make sure we give everybody an equal opportunity to compete and try to be in the team.”