Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns number one goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has revealed pearls of wisdom he got from Kaizer Chiefs veteran Itumeleng Khune.
The reigning DStv Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season, Williams has been in the form of his life in Sundowns colours since joining the club from cross-town rivals SuperSport United last year.
Williams also broke the clean sheet record of former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs, who had kept 17 clean sheets in the 2009/10 campaign.
He has also made the Bafana position his own and is the current captain of the Hugo Broos-led side.
Prior to the PSL end-of-season awards, Khune had publicly endorsed Williams for the top goalkeeper accolade.
“Give Him His Flowers. 2022/2023 GOALKEEPER OF THE SEASON. YOU HAVE MY VOTE BRO,” Khune posted on his Instagram handle.
Williams has since responded to Khune’s kind message and also revealed the wise words the former SA’s number one shared with him.
“It was nice [on Itu Khune vouching for him]. We had a wonderful relationship from day one,” explained Williams.
ITUMELENG KHUNE’S WISE WORDS TO RONWEN WILLIAMS
“When I started playing for SuperSport United, he actually gave me a call. [He] said ‘Soon you will be in the national team and when you come here I don’t want to be your friend.’ We must come and compete,” revealed Williams.
“I have had that mentality ever since. So, learning from someone like Itu [Khune] at that age I needed that. We are not here to be friendly, we are here to compete.”
Furthermore, Williams expressed his gratitude to Khune for the support the Chiefs star gave him over the years.
“All of us want to play and that’s the mentality I took from him. Having someone as experienced as Itu and what he has achieved in his career giving me the backing is amazing,” added Williams.
“Like I said, we have had an amazing relationship so I am just proud of what I have achieved. But there is so much more to achieve and I can’t wait to get started for next season.”
Williams is currently in camp with Bafana ahead of the clash against Morocco on Saturday.
The CAF AFCON qualifier against the Atlas Lions will take place at 17:00 at FNB Stadium in Soweto.
RELATED STORY: Ronwen Williams on Percy Tau: ‘We are very proud of him’
