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The unforgettable game that cemented Ronwen Williams' status as a bonafide nominee for the 2024 Yacine Trophy.
Ronwen Williams has achieved what many considered impossible—earning a nomination for the prestigious Yashin Trophy, an honor reserved for the finest goalkeepers in world football.
While his consistency and brilliance over recent years are undeniable, it was his incredible performance during the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that truly sealed his status as a nominee for football's ultimate goalkeeping accolade.
In a match that tested Bafana Bafana to their limits, Williams rose above the challenge, delivering a display that left fans in awe and opponents frustrated.
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12:39 - 05.09.2024
South African goalkeeper makes African history with Ballon d’Or nomination
The Mamelodi Sundowns shot stopper has broken the glass ceiling for African teams after being nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or Awards.
Facing a resilient Cape Verde side, South Africa was pushed to the brink, enduring wave after wave of attacks. The West African team fired 25 shots in total, keeping Williams constantly under pressure. But he refused to buckle. In regular time, the goalkeeper made two game-saving stops, displaying razor-sharp reflexes and remarkable composure.
However, it was during the penalty shootout where Williams truly cemented his place in the annals of African football history.
Cape Verde, having battled fiercely to the end, seemed confident heading into the penalties. But Williams had other ideas. In a breathtaking display of goalkeeping mastery, he saved four penalties, almost single-handedly guiding his nation to victory. Each save was a testament to his impeccable timing and mental strength, as he anticipated each shot with precision, diving with purpose and focus.
His heroics didn’t just win South Africa the game; they earned them a historic spot in the semi-finals, eventually leading to their first AFCON bronze medal since 2000.
Williams' extraordinary composure in the quarter-finals was not a one-off. His commanding presence between the posts had already helped his club, Mamelodi Sundowns, clinch the inaugural African Football League title, along with the 2023/24 Premiership trophy.
His impeccable stats that season—46 appearances, 4,200 minutes, 30 clean sheets, and only 19 goals conceded—showcased his consistency and durability.
But as stunning as those numbers are, it’s difficult to overstate just how much Williams' quarter-final performance meant to South Africa. The victory against Cape Verde was a turning point, proving that Bafana Bafana could once again compete among Africa’s elite teams.
Williams' penalty-saving prowess earned him the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award and catapulted him into the conversation for the Yashin Trophy, making him the first South African ever to receive such recognition.
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13:00 - 01.09.2024
'Allow her to be special!'- American sprint icon on why Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone does not have to race in many meets
McLaughlin-Levrone has come under criticism from fans that she doesn't participate in too many races anymore outside of the Olympics and World Championships, which Gatlin has vehemently defended.
One can almost say Williams’ destiny was written in the stars. Born on April 27, 1994, the same day South Africa held its first democratic elections, his heroics for the national team feel symbolic—a moment where both he and his country overcame adversity to achieve greatness.
Now, Williams finds himself in elite company, competing for the Yashin Trophy alongside world-class names such as Diogo Costa, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Emiliano Martinez. His journey, from the PSL to the international stage, is a story of perseverance, resilience, and undeniable talent.
As the football world watches the Ballon d'Or ceremony on October 28th, South Africa will undoubtedly rally behind their captain.
Regardless of the outcome, Ronwen Williams has already cemented his legacy as one of the finest goalkeepers the continent has ever produced. His performance against Cape Verde, with four miraculous penalty saves, is the game that confirmed his place among football’s elite.
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