Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams has admitted that Sunday’s CAF Super Cup defeat to USM Alger will stay with the team for a long time. Speaking after the match at Loftus Versfeld, the goalkeeper said the 3-1 loss was tough to take, especially in front of their own supporters.

“Obviously, it’s tough. This one will hurt for a very long time,” Williams told the media in the mixed zone. “We’ve got to reflect as a team as to where we are and what we once were. We need to get back to that. As tough as it is, we need to pick ourselves up. It’s going to be a long season. We just need to be better as a team, draw strength from one another and keep growing.”

USM Alger, winners of the Confederation Cup, took the lead after just four minutes through Zakaria Draoui. Iqraam Rayners equalised from the penalty spot in the 25th minute, but Saadi Radouani restored the visitors’ advantage before half-time. Ahmed Khaldi then scored a superb curling effort ten minutes into the second half to seal the result. The Algerians claimed their second Super Cup title after previously winning it in 2023.

Sundowns, the Champions League holders, went into the game missing Nuno Santos, who was injured in the warm-up. Brayan León also had to come off early. Williams and midfielder Teboho Mokoena both returned to the starting line-up after missing time through injury, but it was not enough against a well-organised Algerian side.

Williams, who has been part of several near-misses in continental competitions, placed the defeat among the squad’s more painful moments. “There’s been a lot of good moments and a lot of tough moments, a lot of moments that hurt so much. This is one of them, but we will keep going,” he said. “You can’t win them all, but it’s disappointing to lose at home. We have to regroup and keep going.”

The setback comes after Sundowns were also eliminated early in the Champions League. With a long domestic season still ahead and Bafana Bafana duty calling, Williams and his teammates now turn their focus to recovering quickly and finding their best form again. The captain is expected to join the national team camp for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya.

Source: https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2120056638916984919?a=v1iZASpHkOq6jd2bs18&s=19