Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: PSL’s dynamic slammed, Williams concedes he has been down, Ribeiro suffers in Spain & more

Published on by

Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: PSL’s dynamic slammed, Williams concedes he has been down, Ribeiro suffers in Spain & more
Photo - AF ZA

Latest news about Mamelodi Sundowns in the last 24 hours, including PSL being slammed for their dynamics, Ronwen Williams adamant he has to improve and more.

PSL have to change some dynamics

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has sent a message to the leadership of the Premier Soccer League with regards to his side’s busy calendar after lifting the CAF Champions League trophy.

The Portuguese finally ended his CAFCL final bad luck, lifting the trophy in his third attempt after Sundowns beat ASFAR 2-1 on aggregate.

“I also believe that it is important – if South Africa wants again soon or in the future win the Champions League, it has to change some dynamics. And it’s really important to change some dynamics, it’s really important those dynamics are changing, to provide support,” he told the media.

“[On Monday night], there are still some players that are potential Bafana Bafana players who could not play – Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Bathusi Aubaas.

“And they are not here, because in the last moment they were exposed to something that is not normal. And they also could not play a final, they could’ve been useful, very useful.

“So it’s time for people that are in charge of football in South Africa to really think what they want about the development of football in the country and if they create conditions to really push the teams forward.

Miguel Cardoso.
Miguel Cardoso. Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns

“To create conditions to help this club, I believe it’s possible because I know the club will continue to work very hard to develop because I know the people behind the scenes.”

Ribeiro relegated!

Former Mamelodi Sundowns star Lucas Ribeiro Costa was relegated from LaLiga 2 with Cultural Leonesa on the same day his former club became African champions.

Ribeiro joined the LaLiga 2 side after terminating his contract with Masandawana, with his case still in front of the FIFA tribunal.

However, he has received a clearance by FIFA and started playing for his new club in Spain – initially starting off well, even earning the club’s Player of the Month award in November after scoring two goals and setting up one more.

But the club’s fortunes have heavily changed since, as Leonassa have fallen down the log and were officially relegated after losing 2-0 to Burgos on Sunday.

Costa featured for the whole 90 minutes but wasn’t able to prevent his side’s 23rd defeat of the season. As a consequence, Leonesa are second from bottom with 36 points from 41 games in LaLiga 2 and cannot prevent relegation with one match to spare.

Lucas Ribeiro at Spanish club Cultural Leonesa
Lucas Ribeiro at Spanish club Cultural Leonesa

It now remains to be seen whether Ribeiro will stay with the side and play in Primera Federación – the third tier of Spanish football – or attempt to find a new club.

Williams concedes ‘it wasn’t his best season’

Despite helping Mamelodi Sundowns secure a coveted CAF Champions League title, Ronwen Williams admitted he was far from satisfied with his own performances, revealing that the demands of a gruelling season had finally caught up with him.

“It’s been a tough season, a tough year for me, playing so many games – the [FIFA] Club World Cup, AFCON, Champions League, for the national team. So many games, it’s not easy, and I can feel it. This wasn’t obviously my best season, and we, as a team, will just be better,” Williams said as quoted by FARPost.

“I’m hard on myself. I’m disappointed with the penalty I gave away. It was a soft one to concede; it wasn’t a strong shot, and I obviously spilt it. I’ll be better; I’ll be energised.

Ronwen Williams, Mamelodi Sundowns - Photo: Sundowns
Ronwen Williams, Mamelodi Sundowns – Photo: Sundowns

“[AS FAR Rabat] made it difficult; they came out, obviously they had the support behind them. They came with energy, but I think we contained them. We didn’t give them too many chances. Our game plan was spot on,” Williams added.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

You May Also Like