Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has provided an injury update on goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who was a notable absentee as Masandawana came from a goal down to secure a 3-1 victory over Marumo Gallants on Wednesday.

The win saw the defending champions stretch their lead at the top of the Betway Premiership table to 12 points over second-placed Orlando Pirates, who have accumulated 33 points, having played three games less.

In the absence of the Bafana Bafana captain, former Uganda international Denis Onyango assumed responsibility to be in goals. However, the 39-year-old shot-stopper received his marching orders in the closing stages of the encounter.

This saw Cardoso witness his side pick up their seventh red card under his tutelage, taking their tally to nine overall across all competitions – three more than they accumulated last season. 

The Portuguese tactician admitted the card would affect their planning for the next encounters.

“It [red card] affects always because you never know what’s going to happen in the next game, so it always affects. Ronwen [Williams] is our first-choice goalkeeper, and Denis has been on the level [required] because today [Wednesday] again, I remember he had a wonderful save,” he said.

While he is pleased with Onyango’s display in the comeback win, the former Esperance de Tunis mentor says Williams is expected to be fit and ready to feature in the club’s next match. 

Alternatively, the 52-year-old gaffer boasts a pool of goalkeepers to select from if things don’t go according to plan.

“He had a wonderful save from a header that could have been really dangerous, so he has been on the level [that’s required]. But I believe that Ronwen will have recovered from the small problem that he had, and he will be able to be in the goal,” Cardoso added.

“Otherwise, we have Jody [February], we have Sanele [Tshabalala], we have Reyaad Pieterse, so for sure someone else will step up if we need some goalkeeper.”

The Brazilians will host TS Galaxy at Lucas Moripe Stadium in their next league outing on Saturday.

Adnan Beganovic’s side caused a major upset when they subjected the Tshwane giants to a narrow 1- 0 defeat at Mbombela one week ago.