Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma has entered a debate about whether Mamelodi Sundowns goalie Ronwen Williams should be considered for the Footballer of the Season award.
Last year, SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt sparked controversy by suggesting goalkeepers shouldn’t win the award, saying it reflects defensive struggles for their teams.
However, Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena recently included Williams among his contenders for the award. He also mentioned Teboho Mokoena, Lucas Ribeiro Costa , Marcelo Allende, Patrick Maswanganyi and Jayden Adams.
Bvuma has firmly backed Williams to receive the accolade, highlighting his consistent performances throughout the season.
BVUMA – IT’S NOT LIKE RONWEN WILLIAMS WILL BE THE FIRST ‘KEEPER TO WIN FOTS
“For me, Ronwen has done more than enough looking at his performances from the previous season to this season,” said Bvuma during the club’s media open day on Thursday afternoon.
“Going to AFCON, the way he has been performing. For me, I don’t see a need for him to not get this award, he has worked very hard.
“Yes, he is a goalkeeper but it’s not like he’ll be the first goalkeeper to receive the Footballer of the Season.
“So, for me he has done enough but then who am I? Whoever is voting will do the job.”
Asked how much inspiration he draws from Williams, he expressed his admiration for the 2023 AFCON Golden Glove winner stating that every goalkeeper aspires to share a dressing room with him in the national team.
With Bvuma included in the recently called Bafana Bafana preliminary squad, the possibility of playing alongside Williams exists if he makes the final cut.
“A lot because he’s a national team number one, I mean he’s doing very well continentally, he’s doing very well for his club,” he added.
“This is someone that obviously every goalkeeper would want to share a dressing room with him obviously in the national team and compete with him.”
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