Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is a clear example of what happens when you do not allow the bad moments to define who you become.
For a while, Williams could not shake off the fact that he conceded five goals on his Bafana Bafana debut in a 5-0 defeat to Brazil in an international friendly. If he'd given in to the criticism, who knows the direction his career would have taken.
That 5-0 loss to Brazil was 10 years ago, and today, he is on a prestigious list of 10 goalkeepers nominated for the Ballon d'Or Yachine Trophy, largely due to his performances for the national team at the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast earlier this year, where he became the first shot-stopper in AFCON history to make four saves in a single penalty shootout!
What has happened in the goalkeeper's career since his national team debut has certainly been nothing short of incredible. He had to wait a few years to become the national team No. 1 goalkeeper after that tough night against the Brazilians, but it was worth the wait because he is not only the first choice but is the captain too.
Williams' journey was that of sheer will and determination, coming through the ranks at SuperSport United to make his first-team debut in 2012, under the tutelage of Gavin Hunt, at the age of 20. He went on to captain the senior team at SuperSport and won all the domestic knockout competitions with the Tshwane outfit, but it was not until he donned the famous yellow and blue jersey of Sundowns that winning the league became a regular occurrence.
In his two seasons at Sundowns so far, Williams has bagged himself two league medals, as well as the African Football League title, the first continental trophy of his career.
His game at Sundowns has gone to another level, proving he is a goalkeeper who is comfortable playing with his feet. He is a key part of the way Sundowns build up from the back and his confidence on the ball is truly what separates him from his peers.
At national team level, Williams is well on his way to being mentioned with some of the Bafana greats, such as Andre Arendse and Itumeleng Khune, especially after his fine displays at AFCON put him on the world stage. His performances at the 2023 AFCON earned him the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament award, a feat no other South African has achieved.
Named Bafana Bafana skipper in 2021, he is now one of the longest-serving captains in the national team's history.
At 32, Williams certainly has a lot more he can still achieve, and a move abroad cannot be ruled out as yet. He is, after all, a goalkeeper and they tend to age like fine wine.
