Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has provided a detailed update on the absence of star goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, confirming that the Bafana Bafana captain is dealing with a unique “minor condition” rather than a standard physical injury.
After missing the recent CAF Champions League trip to Rwanda, fears were high that Williams might face a lengthy layoff. However, Cardoso has moved to allay those concerns, describing the issue as a “syndrome”—a term often used in sports medicine to describe a collection of symptoms (like inflammation or nerve irritation) rather than a structural muscle rip.
The Coach’s Briefing (Feb 3, 2026)
“Ronwen had a small thing from one of the doctors; it’s not a muscle injury, it’s more of a syndrome, which means that it’s not a long-term thing. We hope to have him back as quickly as possible. Let’s see if he can make it up to the weekend; that’s what we are trying to work on.”
Target Return Date
While Williams is ruled out for the Nedbank Cup Last 32 match against Gomora United this Wednesday (Feb 4), the medical team is working around the clock to have him ready for the Betway Premiership fixture this coming weekend (Feb 7/8).
Cardoso emphasized that Williams’ value extends beyond shot-stopping, citing his role as a “on-field coach” and primary captain in the absence of Themba Zwane. His return is seen as critical for the build-up play that Sundowns struggled with during their 2-1 loss to Al-Hilal.
