Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Andre Arendse has sent a special message to Mamelodi Sundowns number one shot stopper Ronwen Williams ahead of the Ballon d’Or Ceremony on Monday evening.
Williams has been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or Yachine Trophy award.
The 32-year-old becomes the fourth African goalkeeper to be nominated for the award after Andre Onana, Edouard Mendy and Yassine Bounou.
He has had a brilliant season for both club and country. This is after he helped Sundowns win the inaugural African Football League domestic league title and helped Bafana Bafana to a bronze medal at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
WHAT MESSAGE ANDRE ARENDSE HAS SENT TO BALLON D’OR NOMINEE RONWEN WILLIAMS
“I have known Ronwen Williams for a very long time. He came through the ranks while I was still playing at SuperSport,” Arendse told FARPost.
“To see his journey from where he started and where he is in his career now has made me so proud. Proud to witness the journey. Proud, in a small way, to also be a part of it.
“I wish Ronza all the best. ‘This is something you totally deserve because this is something you worked so hard for over the entire period of your career and your development stages. You have not only put South Africa on the goalkeeping map, but you have done so for the whole of Africa’,” he said.
Arendse added: “‘It’s time everybody starts to take your position seriously. I wish you all the best, and I also have total faith that you will walk away with the ultimate prize and good luck with it’.”
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“Ronwen has set the bar high. The goalkeeping bar in South Africa which he already has done,” added Arendse.
“It’s [award nomination] now sending a message to other young goalkeepers. To try and get to the level of their own game. That’s always a yardstick that is really high and one that is a complete challenge to every young goalkeeper coming through the ranks.”
The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on Monday, 28 October 2024, in Paris, France, starting at 21:00 [SA Time].
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