Ronwen Williams reacts: Triple nomination for CAF Awards
Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has shared his thoughts on being nominated in three categories for the 2024 CAF Awards.
On Thursday, the continental football governing body, CAF, revealed the finalists – nominees for the upcoming 2024 CAF awards. The ceremony will be held at Marrakech in Morocco on Monday, 16 December.
Williams’s nominations include the prestigious Player of the Year award, the Goalkeeper of the Year award, and the CAF Inter-Club Player of the Year award.
The former SuperSport United keeper will compete against some of the continent’s top players. This includes the likes of Ivory Coast star Simon Adingra, Guinean striker Serhou Guirassy, Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi, and Nigerian attacker Ademola Lookman.
In October, the 32-year-old became the first South African to be nominated for the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or Awards. He finished finished ninth.
The talented goalminder played a considerable role for Bafana as they finished third at the 2023 AFCON finals in Ivory Coast. At club level, ‘Ronza’ has been key for Masandawana as they clinched their seventh consecutive league title last season.
RONWEN WILLIAMS ON CAF AWARDS NOMINATIONS: I’M ALREADY A WINNER
The Bafana skipper says his nominations at the CAF Awards are a result of not giving up and working hard. Williams hopes to inspire the current and next generation of players who want to be successful.
“It’s an unbelievable achievement. I couldn’t have done it by myself. The amount of clean sheets that we have had from last year is a testament to the work that we have done, not only myself but as a collective,” said Williams.
“The amount of work that we do in this boardroom, analysing opponents, studying opponents to know their strengths and weaknesses. I’m just glad that I’m representing South Africa, hopefully I can inspire the next generation and even the current generation to dream big.
“Having someone who didn’t have it smoothly, but now he’s nominated to present Africa. This needs to open doors for others to even dream bigger and to win it. We can do it with the right mindset if you persevere. I had to persevere throughout my career. Now, I’m bearing the fruits of the hard labour that I had to go through.
“The coach [Miguel Cardoso] can attest to how the WhatsApp group was going off yesterday [Thursday]. There were so many messages, and everyone was happy; it was exciting. I’m glad, and I’m happy to be amongst the greats.
“For me, I’m already a winner just being there. For Ronwen Williams from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, being there as a goalkeeper speaks volumes. Keep going, keep believing, and hopefully, I can inspire South Africans to stay on that stage.”
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