Victory over the Buccaneers would move Sundowns to within three points of the league leaders with a game in hand, while defeat would leave them nine points adrift and with it all to do in the title race.
Williams also hailed the 2-0 CAF Champions League win over MC Alger at the weekend that booked a quarter-final place as among their best in recent times and hopes they have now turned the corner as a team.
“We’ve had a lot of talks over the last few weeks. We had to reflect as a team because we weren’t happy with where we were,” Williams said. “There were a lot of positive talks, that’s where we all got to sit down and share our thoughts, and it was good to listen to everyone.
“In moments like that, everyone becomes a leader: you listen, you learn, and you could see the change in spirit and the change in energy around the team and around the training ground.
“Everything has worked out the way we expected after those meetings, and obviously to top it off we had a wonderful result (against MC Alger). I think that was one of our best performances this season, so we need to kick on now and keep those values we discussed, and keep that respect for the badge.
“The Mamelodi Sundowns badge is huge, it comes with a lot of responsibility, and we need to always make sure we keep it at a high level.”
Williams knows what is at stake when they take on in-form Pirates, who have won their last 12 home games in a row in all competitions, setting a new record in the PSL era.
It will be a huge test for the team and even in mid-February, could have a massive bearing on the title race, though Williams talks this prospect down.
“The most important thing about this game is the three points,” he said. “It’s not about being a league title decider because there are too many games to play.
“I think we still have close to 15 games left, so there are a lot of points to play for. Our focus is just going out there, collecting maximum points, and closing the gap.”
Sundowns fans had voiced their frustration at the technical team over recent results, but Williams says he was pleased to see them come together against MC Alger and called for unity to the end of the campaign.
“The support has been amazing, especially the last few weeks when things were not looking so good for us,” he said. “Against MC Alger they were extra motivation, the energy, the drums, they played their part.
“We need them in these difficult times, especially now at the back end of the season where there’s a lot to play for. This is where we draw strength from one another.”