Ronwen Williams satisfied with Algeria trip and acknowledges mistakes
28th March 2024
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Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has acknowledged lessons to learn from following their six-goal thriller against the Desert Foxes.
The two sides played to a 3-3 draw at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Tuesday, with Algeria’s second goal coming following a mistake from Williams, who kicked the ball straight to an opponent before the hosts capitalised.
Bafana’s defence was also a bit shaky in the second half, and the shot-stopper emphasised their need to minimise mistakes.
"Obviously in the Andorra game, we gave a lot of new players a chance to raise their hands, and [against Algeria] we had a lot of familiar faces so you could see the performance was much better, but in saying that, I think we should have won both games," said Williams.
"Last week we created so many chances, and again [against Algeria] we gave away too many mistakes, which is unlike South Africa to give away that many mistakes – myself included. So it's just for us to learn from this and grow as a team."
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resuming in June, and Bafana set to travel to Uyo to meet Nigeria before facing Zimbabwe at home, Williams says it could be a blessing in disguise that these mistakes happened now rather than later.
"Ja, we played very well as a team and gave a good account of ourselves, we played the football we know and created so many chances," he added.
"Yes, very disappointed with the three goals conceded, it's unlike us as South Africa to concede so many goals and make so many mistakes.
"So this is an eye-opener going into the World Cup qualifiers, and the AFCON qualifiers, so I'm glad it happened now so that we can work and focus on it and continue doing the good work we're doing."
