Bafana’s Ronwen Williams makes history; he has been nominated amongst elite goalkeepers for Ballon d’Or Yashin trophy.
Born 21 January 1992 is Ronwen Hayden Williams, in Port Elizabeth now known as Gqeberha. His football career is said to have started when he joined SuperSport United youth academy at the age of 12years after impressing scouts playing for Shatterprufe Rovers. He never stopped working hard after passing the preliminary tests after he joined Matsatsantsa’s youth squad, the now dubbed to be South Africa’s number one goalkeeper graduated from the academy and earned promotion to the senior side of United. As any goalkeeper who was promoted to the senior, he started majority of his game as a substitute goalkeeper, but within some time Ronwen started to get more game time.
In an interview with Soccer Laduma he was asked how he personally handles the pressure of being an elite athlete, and if the pressure impacts his enjoyment of the sport? A sweet response is what he gave as he was found to have shared and given a perspective of his heroic attributes. “I enjoy every moment of being pro athlete, the good, the bad, the ups and downs. Which is my approach to the game. Embracing these experiences helps me enjoy the more, even under pressure”. He went on and shared a moment where he realized the importance of enjoying the game regardless of
external forces, where he stated that it is always when he is injured and could not where realizes that he needs to enjoy the sport with its pressure because apparently the pressure is what makes the game more interesting.
Ronwen is known for living a lowkey life. This might have been propelled by the fact that he had a child at a young age, which forced him to change his life and grow up quickly. A lot of people at their early twenties go clubbing and buy nice things, however, with him having a responsibility of providing for his mini family has always been his priority. This may be perceived as a blessing in disguise not only for his family but also for the country as well, it is rare to find Williams on tabloids because he is said to be on
lock-down ever since his girlfriend moved in with him at the age of 20. To this present day, Zam’eyokuza, as he is affectionately known, is arguably one of the best shot-stoppers South Africa has ever seen. He is known for his sharp eye in penalties and the ability to build to play as a sweeper-keeper which is very important in modern football.
South Africa’s Ronwen Williams is the first African based-playing goalkeeper to be nominated for the Yachine award. He shared that he is still feels numb and in disbelief because its like a dream especially where he is from [African-based league]. He went on and claimed that it is always a case of getting the recognition only if a player from Africa moves abroad, and for him to do it as local means more. “It feels good but not for myself but for the next generation and the current generation, I just want to inspire and give back to the game, what more than this, I don’t think anyone would have imagined this, I never thought I’d be nominated for this, be in the same category with players playing in the big leagues”, Ronwen Williams quoted in an interview with Metro FM.
The past season was undoubtedly one of the best season Williams has ever experienced, he won almost everything that was there to be won as he won the domestic league with Mamelodi Sundowns, African Football League,3rd place with Bafana, and Best GK award in AFCON. He played 58 games, conceding 31 goals, taking home 31 clean sheets, and getting 6 yellow cards with 0 red cards, these numbers are insane for a goalkeeper in all competitions.
The Yashin award nominee will be a notable absentee in tomorrow’s AFCON qualifiers game against Uganda which will be played at Orlando stadium at 18:00 as he still nursing an injury, he sustained last season. As a result, he missed his team preseason and the MTN8 which they unfortunately suffered a double 1-0 defeat at the hands of Stellenbosch FC. Hugo Broos called Veli Mothwa who has always been second to Williams in the Bafana for some time, Ricardo Goss and an inform debutant Sipho Chaine.
As we all know, there has always been a debate as to whether Williams has the capability to emulate Itumeleng Khune as Mzansi’s number one. That is said to be determined by the numbers, and the nomination to such a prestigious award will make the debate even more interesting.
By Olothando Mpapama
Twitter: @Molothando_22
