Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has spoken candidly about the mistake that led to the opening goal in their thrilling 4-3 defeat to Bundesliga heavyweights Borussia Dortmund, admitting that while it was a painful moment, it served as a valuable lesson for him and his team.
The match saw the South African champions go toe-to-toe with the German giants in a high-intensity match that delivered drama, quality, and plenty of goals. However, the early stages of the game saw Williams caught in a moment of misjudgment.
In the 16th minute, the Sundown goalkeeper attempted a short pass under pressure—an error that was swiftly punished by Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha, who read the situation perfectly, intercepted the ball, and calmly slotted it home to put the visitors in front.
“It’s not nice to concede a goal like that,” Williams admitted after the match. “But you know, we are a team that takes risks. So, before I received the ball, I obviously saw ‘Tebza’ there, but he got a call from Marcelo Allende to move away. It was just one of those unfortunate situations.”
Despite the setback, Williams praised his teammates for their resilience and determination throughout the match. He emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and keeping faith in the team’s playing style.
“But we learn from it, and we keep going,” he continued. “However, we showed that we can compete. Yes, obviously, they are physically bigger, but it’s all about the mind; if your mentality is right, you can go out there and compete with the best, and that’s what we showed.”
“We had a very good chance in the first half, and I’m just proud of the boys for their efforts and the desire to keep fighting. Now, the gap is not that big. I think we have proved that,” Williams concluded.
The match, though ending in defeat, offered encouragement for Sundowns, who demonstrated their ability to hold their own against one of Europe’s top clubs. For Williams, the experience was a reminder that even in moments of adversity, the team’s spirit and ambition remain intact.