Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper Ronwen Williams has set a new Bafana Bafana record following the national team’s triumph against DR Congo in the 2023 AFCON third-place playoff on Saturday night.
Williams helped Bafana to beat the Leopards 6-5 on penalties to win the 2023 CAF AFCON tournament bronze medal following a 0-0 draw in regulation time.
The Bafana captain, Williams, led from the front as he saved two penalties during the tense penalty shootout.
Following Williams’ penalty heroics against the Congolese side on the night proved why he is Mzansi’s number one.
RONWEN WILLIAMS BREAK ANDRE ARENDSE’S RECORD
The former SuperSport United goalie is the first Bafana goalkeeper to keep five clean sheets in a single AFCON tournament. He broke Andre Arendse record’s for the most number of clean sheets [4] in 1996.
To add to that, the Bafana skipper, Williams, also made his presence at the AFCON competition felt, as he made history by becoming the first goalkeeper to save four penalties in a single AFCON tournament.
At the tournament, Williams also won a Man of the Match accolade for his stellar displays when he helped Bafana to beat Cape Verde 2-1 on penalties to qualify for the 2023 AFCON semi-finals for the first time since 2000 following a 0-0 draw after extra-time.
The 32-year-old goalminder made his Bafana debut back in March 2014 during the side’s international friendly match against Brazil. This came after the first-choice goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune suffered a sprained ankle injury ahead of the game.
Williams was named the national team’s captain in August 2021, taking over the armband from Thulani Hlatshwayo.
The talented goalie has made 43 appearances for Bafana so far and will be hoping to go further and reach 50 caps for the SA men’s national team.
Bafana will return to South Africa in the coming days after an interesting AFCON tournament, and football fanatics cannot wait to welcome the bronze medalist at OR Tambo International Airport.
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