Ronwen Williams delighted with latest global recognition

Williams, who was nominated last season for the Ballon d’Or Yashine Award, is one of 11 goalkeepers nominated for the FIFA gong this season, alongside Youssef Bonou of Morocco and other top keepers from around the world.  

The reigning African Goalkeeper of the Year’s star has continued to rise since his heroic performances at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, and this is what this latest nomination means to him. 

"Ja, no, it's amazing. I get a lot of goosebumps, I don't think it's sunk in yet or I've realised what I've achieved, maybe one day when I'm done playing then I'll sit back and think about all the achievements," said Williams.

"For now it's always about the next assignment, but ja, it's amazing. There's so many people that helped get to that level – so many coaches and players.

"So yeah, it's an amazing moment for me and for my family, and for South Africa as a whole – this is one of your own being recognised on a global stage, and it shows that your dreams are possible.

"So hopefully this is the first step to opening doors for even more players to be recognised globally."

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Having established himself on the international stage since his debut back in 2014, the 33-year-old has shared some words of encouragement for the newcomers in camp, Keletso Makgalwa and Masindi Nemtajela.

"I mean, like coach [Hugo Broos] always says, you are here because of what you've done for your club, so just come out here and be yourself," he noted.

"We had a training session yesterday and they fitted in like a [hand to a] glove already, so we wish them the best; we wish them well, and hopefully they can make their debuts on Saturday."