Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams had a night to remember at the CAF Awards 2024, clinching two prestigious accolades.
The Port Elizabeth-born shot-stopper was awarded the CAF Men’s Interclub Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year awards at the ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday evening.
In a strong field of contenders, Williams won the Goalkeeper of the Year ahead of Andre Onana [Cameroon/Manchester United] and Yahia Fofana [Cote d’Ivoire/Angers SCO]. For the Interclub Player of the Year, he triumphed over Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ [Egypt/Zamalek] and Hussein El Shahat [Egypt/Al Ahly].
While Williams missed out on the biggest prize of the night, the African Footballer of the Year award, which went to Nigerian star Ademola Lookman, his double victory is a significant achievement for South African football.
Furthermore, Bafana Bafana mentor Hugo Broos received a nomination for the CAF Coach of the Year award, which was ultimately claimed by Ivory Coast’s Emerse Fae, who led the Elephants to AFCON glory.
Meanwhile, Sundowns Ladies and Banyana Banyana shot-stopper Andile Dlamini was shortlisted for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. However, the honour was bestowed upon Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, who plays for Paris FC.
RONWEN WILLIAMS’ INCREDIBLE 2023/24 SEASON
Williams had an incredible season in the previous campaign at the club and international levels. He produced exceptional performances, helping his side secure the league title and the African Football League.
He also had a memorable AFCON in Ivory Coast earlier this year, propelling Bafana Bafana to a third-place finish in the competition. His heroics in the quarter-final penalty shootout against Cape Verde, where he saved four penalties, were unprecedented in AFCON history.
The 32-year-old’s incredible season was rewarded with numerous accolades, including the AFL Golden Glove, AFCON Golden Glove, PSL Footballer of the Year, DStv Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season, and SAFJA Footballer of the Season. He was also nominated for the prestigious Yashin Trophy, finishing ninth in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
ALL CAF AWARDS 2024 WINNERS
Men’s Player of the Year:
Ademola Lookman [Nigeria/Atalanta]
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year:
Ronwen Williams [South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns]
Men’s Interclub Player of the Year:
Ronwen Williams [South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns]
Men’s Young Player of the Year:
Lamine Camara [Senegal/AS Monaco]
Men’s Coach of the Year:
Emerse Fae [Côte d’Ivoire]
Men’s National Team of the Year:
Côte d’Ivoire
Men’s Club of the Year:
Al Ahly [Egypt]
Women’s Player of the Year :
Barbra Banda [Zambia]
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year:
Chiamaka Nnadozie [Nigeria/Paris FC]
Women’s Interclub Player of the Year:
Sanaa Masoudy [Morocco/ASFAR]
Women’s Coach of the Year:
Lamia Boumehdi [Morocco/TP Mazembe]
Women’s National Team of the Year:
Nigeria
Women’s Club of the Year:
TP Mazembe
Women’s Young Player of the Year:
Doha El Madani [Morocco/ASFAR]
RELATED STORY: Ronwen Williams reacts: Triple nomination for CAF Awards
