Bafana Bafana captain and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has been named amongst 10 goalkeepers nominated for the global Yashin Trophy, presented to the best goalkeeper in the world over a period of time.
Ronwen Williams is South Africa’s Man of the Moment ? ? ? pic.twitter.com/YObGT88MRL
— GOAL South Africa (@GOALcomSA) September 4, 2024
Earlier this year, Williams made headlines across the world after saving four penalties in one match when Bafana Bafana defeated Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, eventually leading the national squad to their best performance in the tournament since 2000.
Williams had a standout 2023/24 season, where kept 35 clean sheets in 59 games. He was crowned the best goalkeeper in the AFCON 2023, keeping four clean sheets in the tournament and helped Bafan secure third place in Côte d’Ivoire. He further won the inaugural African Football League and the DStv Premiership title with Mamelodi Sundowns.
The 32-year old was nominated along with Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Andriy Lunin (Rea Madrid), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), and Yann Sommer (Inter Milan).
South Africa’s Ronwen Williams is the first goalkeeper in history to be nominated for the Yashin Trophy while playing for a club in Africa.
No DNA, just RSA ?? pic.twitter.com/x0Z7VnNki8
— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) September 4, 2024
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
