Mamelodi Sundowns captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Image: BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams believes his team has learned its lesson from last year’s CAF Champions League final defeat heading into Sunday’s continental second-leg showpiece with AS FAR in Rabat.
Sundowns fell short in their hunt for a second star last year, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Egyptian side Pyramids.
But the Brazilians now hold a precious 1-0 lead from last Sunday’s first-leg victory, with Williams keeping a clean sheet to deny the Moroccans a crucial away goal in Pretoria.
This has filled Williams with confidence that Sundowns can end their 10-year wait for Africa’s premier trophy.
“I think we've learned valuable lessons along the way, on our path, on our journey. Lessons that hurt, you know, in the moment. I can remember how tough it was for us to overcome that heartache and pain,” Williams told Mamelodi Sundowns TV.
“And I think this season that we've learned, we know how to grind out results. We know how important it is not to concede at home. So I think this season and this final, we're going there with a clear understanding of what we need to do to win this tournament.”
Williams, who is also the Bafana Bafana national team skipper set to lead the nation at next month’s Fifa World Cup, believes Sundowns’ victory will bring joy to the entire country.
“We know that we have a lot of problems and issues in our society,” he said. “So for that moment, we know that the country's happiness, peace, will be down to us and our performance.
“We know how important it is to have a good game, to lift the trophy, because for that moment, people forget their problems and just celebrate Mamelodi Sundowns.”