Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune has expressed his disappointment at the antics of Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Williams was in goal as Miguel Cardoso’s team faced Tunisian giants Esperance in the CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday, a match they won 1-0.
The contest had few chances with Peter Shalulile scoring the only goal in the 54th minute for Cardoso’s men, who held firm to secure first leg advantage.
However, Khune was not impressed by Williams, who he feels did not set a good example to his team-mates, as he was seen juggling the ball as his coach was urging his players to go in search of a second goal.
Chiefs legend hits out at Williams
“But what I like about the coach, I saw in the second half he was pushing his players to say ‘let’s go get the second goal’ and you see the Bafana Bafana Nr.1 juggling the ball – now you have two people, the coach and the captain doing the opposite,” Khune said on SABC, while analysing the match, as quoted by iDiski Times.
“Now, what message are you sending to the players, that no ‘if our captain is relaxed, let us all relax’. But they need to be careful of that going forward.”
Khune also weighed in on what the result means for Sundowns, saying it is a dangerous position to be in, even if they won, given the hostile reception awaiting them in the second leg in Tunis.
“It’s the most dangerous result in a football match. For the sake that Sundowns is playing at home and they are happy with a 1-0, it’s not going to be easy when they travel,” Khune further said.
Why is Khune worried about Sundowns?
“First, traveling. Secondly, conditions. Thirdly, food that they are going to eat. Coach spoke about the PSL giving them the full support when they play continental football and unfortunately, that is not happening. Hopefully in the future will help the teams that are playing in the continent.
“So that we have an advantage. They were playing Friday, they played today, they play next week Tuesday, it’s too much. And they are going to be traveling to Tunisia and it’s not going to be easy.”
Sundowns have one week to prepare for the second leg, which will be staged at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi, in Tunis on Tuesday April 8.
A place in the semi-final awaits Cardoso’s team if they avoid defeat on enemy territory.
