Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is an honest captain.

As such, he’s admitted that Mamelodi Sundowns needed to change their approach after a below-par start on the continent.

Sundowns had a change in coaching hands this week. They appointed Miguel Cardoso as the new man in charge, replacing Manqoba Mngqithi.

Mngqithi was at the helm for only five months, having come to the fore after the sacking of Rulani Mokwena in July after a semi-final finish in the CAF Champions League.

So, given that the Brazilians are eyeing their second continental crown this season after nine years, Mngqithi seemingly didn’t adhere to those aspirations.

Sundowns cruised to the group stage, but they stuttered after the first two matches, drawing with AS Maniema Union and AS FAR in Group B.

The club management then didn’t waste time in ‘rescuing the situation’ making an SOS call to Cardoso – the coach who eliminated them in the semi-finals last season.

The Portuguese arrived just in time for their third group-stage match to Raja Casablanca at Loftus Versfeld this afternoon (3pm kick-off), and Williams said that they needed a new direction.

“It’s an important game for us – it’s a big one. We know that we haven’t had a good start to our campaign,” Williams admitted.

“With the mentality that we have now, maybe we needed a different approach compared to the season before, in which at this stage, we had six (points) out of six. Everything would be fine.

“But the further we went into the competition, we’d start dropping.

“Maybe this season, it’s going to work in our favour, where we start a bit slow and then pick up points.

“But we need to start picking up points now, starting at home against Raja.

“It’s our home game, and we need the three points. So, we are excited and need the three points for a good start.”

Sundowns are with their third head coach for the season.

The first sacking of Mokwena didn’t go down well with some of the players, as some took to social media to air their displeasure.

And with Mngqithi having since wormed his way into the hearts of some of the players, it seems lightning has struck the same place twice.

But Williams admits that’s part of the game.

“Obviously, it’s not easy. It’s difficult because we get attached. At Sundowns, the first thing is the brotherhood and family,” the Bafana Bafana captain reflected.

“We have a family orientation, so when we lose family members, it’s not easy.

“But being in the sporting world, particularly football, it’s our job, and we need to be professional.

“In the beginning, it was tough. But the guys now have a job to do, and that’s for Sundowns to be at their best in every possible game.

“We can’t question the decisions, so we just have to do what we can – play football and be the best, and take Mamelodi Sundowns to the level that it should be.”

𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝙂𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙐𝙥 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙍𝙖𝙟𝙖 𝙏𝙚𝙨𝙩

Tune into our latest episode where our Pitchside Podcasters loon ahead to the vital home showdown against our Moroccan opposition! ⏰💪

📲 https://t.co/px8HUrno1d #Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/5ufOUSwtV7
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) December 14, 2024

Sundowns’ players will only have had a few days to work with Cardoso by the time the Moroccan champions face them in Pretoria.

However, the 52-year-old must have long felt at home.

“It’s been an interesting week for Mamelodi Sundowns. Obviously we’ve gained some new technical team members, and we need to be professional,” Williams explained.

“As the senior players, we had to get everyone to settle down and be calm.

“We welcomed the new technical team with open arms, and gave them a warm reception.”

#ronwen-williams

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