Sundowns Star Reacts to Costly Error Made by Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in Dortmund Defeat

 

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Thapelo Morena has leapt to the defence of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams after a costly error in their 4-3 defeat to Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in their second FIFA Club World Cup Group F encounter on Saturday.

The high-octane clash at TQL Stadium saw the Betway Premiership champions go toe-to-toe with the European heavyweights but ultimately fall just short in a seven-goal thriller.

Williams, who has been pivotal for the Brazilians, was involved in a critical moment early in the match when his attempted pass from the back fell into the path of Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha, who made no mistake in punishing the lapse to draw the Germans level.

Speaking after the game, Morena refrained from placing blame on the Bafana Bafana number one, instead attributing the situation to an unfortunate moment in a system that usually brings success.

“Yeah, I think there it was unfortunate,” Morena said. “Most of the time when we go out [from the back], it looks very, very, very good. Unfortunately, today it didn’t happen and yeah, that’s how we play, and we can’t change that. It’s what happened, and we had to fight back as a team.”

After Nmecha’s goal, Dortmund took control of the match, racing into a 4-1 lead with goals from Marco Reus, Julian Brandt, and Karim Adeyemi. However, Sundowns refused to go down without a fight.

Late goals from Iqraam Rayners and substitute Lebogang Mothiba gave the Brazilians a lifeline, making it a nervy finish for the German outfit.

Morena, who played the full 90 minutes, praised his team’s resilience and emphasized the need to be more clinical ahead of their final Group F clash against Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense.

“We’re gonna give our all like we gave our all today and try and convert the chances that we create,” the winger said. “We showed great character to come back like that against a top European side. There’s a lot to take forward.”

The Sundowns will now shift focus to their decisive match against Fluminense, where only a win might keep their hopes of advancing in the tournament alive.