Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns’ number one goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is hoping his Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy nomination will help inspire the next generation.
He is the only African amongst the 10 best goalkeepers for the award named after Russian keeper Lev Yashin.
The 32-year-old is the fourth African short-stopper to be nominated for the award after Andre Onana [Cameroon], Edouard Mendy [Senegal] and Yassine Bounou [Morocco].
In addition, he is the first South African to be nominated for the award. The nomination follows Williams’ outstanding performances at the CAF AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast and for his club Sundowns.
RONWEN WILLIAMS DEDICATE THE BALLON D’OR YASHIN TROPHY NOMINATION TO SOUTH AFRICANS
“I am speechless; I have no words to describe how I am feeling at the moment,” said Williams. “It’s a surreal feeling. I am still in shock; it’s like it hasn’t sunk in yet. I am just proud, excited and happy. Not for myself, but more for South Africa as a whole.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS NUMBER ONE KEEPER HOPES HOPES TO INSPIRE NEXT-GENERATION
“I hope this inspires the next generation, the current players, to just believe and chase their dreams and believe that we, as South Africans, can achieve the unthinkable. So I am so proud and happy. I can’t express how I am really feeling. It’s like my body has left me,” he added.
“I have never had a feeling like this before, but I am just proud of myself. Obviously, there are so many people that I can thank. So many coaches and teammates who helped me throughout the journey. This didn’t start now; it started years and years ago. Obviously, thank my parents also.
“I couldn’t believe it when our media officer gave me a call. I thought he was joking. I thought he was joking with me until he said that he was serious, and I went numb. I didn’t know how or what to feel. But when he congratulated me and wished me well, that’s when it sank in,” he explained.
“When I dropped the call, I couldn’t believe it. I told my partner and my son. We just had a moment, the tears were rolling, and I just got very emotional. It’s been a rollercoaster of a career, from where I come to where I am now. So I just had lots of mixed emotions.”
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