Nedbank Cup final build-up: The gloves-men

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday May 26, 2016. 16:00

As part of AfricanFootball.com’s build-up to this weekend’s 2016 Nedbank Cup final between SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates, we look at the teams’ goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams and Brighton Mhlongo.

Williams, 24, has played a key role in helping United to the final, with his heroics in the penalty shootout win over University of Pretoria last month particularly influential.

The Matsatsantsa goalkeeper has played all 390 minutes of his team’s Nedbank Cup run, keeping two clean sheets in the process.

Read: PIRATES STAR BRIGHTON MHLONGO CALLS FOR LEVEL HEADS AHEAD NEDBANK CUP FINAL

His season stats in the league competition also make for good reading: he was an ever present, starting and finishing all 30 matches, and kept 11 clean sheets in the process – including one against Pirates in a 1-0 win back in August last year.

Mhlongo, 25, has also been an ever present throughout Pirates’ Nedbank Cup campaign and kept two clean sheets – against Bucs’ arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs and league champions Mamelodi Sundowns.



The Soweto-born goalkeeper did not feature in all of Pirates’ league matches this season, but with 20 starts and seven clean sheets he was clearly the first choice between the sticks for Eric Tinkler’s side.

Team SuperSport United Orlando Pirates

Name Ronwen Williams Brighton Mhlongo

Born 21 January 1992, Port Elizabeth 12 January 1991, Soweto

Nationality South Africa South Africa

Jersey number 30 16



2016 Nedbank Cup starts (subs) 4 (0) 4 (0)

Minutes played 390 390

Clean sheets 2 2

Yellow cards 0 1

Red cards 0 0



2015/16 league starts (subs) 30 (0) 20 (0)

Minutes played 2700 1772

Clean sheets 11 7

Yellow cards 2 2

Red cards 0 0