Is South Africa’s Ronwen-Williams Africa’s best Goal Keeper

Ronwen Hayden Williams, born on January 21, 1992, is a renowned South African soccer player who holds the position of goalkeeper for the Premier Soccer League team Mamelodi Sundowns and serves as the captain for the South African national team. Williams embarked on his soccer journey with SuperSport United’s youth squad in 2004, making his professional debut in a CAF Champions League match against Matlama FC in January 2012, and later debuted in the Premier Soccer League four months thereafter against Free State Stars, securing clean sheets in both appearances.

After spending 12 fruitful years with SuperSport United, Williams transferred to Mamelodi Sundowns on July 21, 2022. His first appearance for the Sundowns in the 2022/23 season opener against Cape Town City FC was marked by numerous exceptional saves and a clean sheet. Williams’ debut for the South African national team came on March 5, 2014, in a friendly match against Brazil, stepping in due to an injury to the then-first-choice goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune.

In August 2021, under the guidance of new coach Hugo Broos, Williams was appointed the captain of the South African team, succeeding Thulani Hlatshwayo. His leadership was notably highlighted on February 3, 2024, during the 2023 AFCON quarter-final against Cape Verde, where the match concluded in a 0–0 draw after extra time. Williams’ extraordinary performance in the penalty shootout, saving four penalties, propelled South Africa into the AFCON semi-finals for the first time since 2000. His contributions continued as he made crucial saves against Congo DR, securing the Bronze medal for South Africa in the Afcon 2023. His performance, especially in the penalty shootout against Cape Verde, set a record in the Africa Cup for the most saves by a goalkeeper in this stage of the competition.

Williams, who has earned 44 caps for South Africa, expressed his gratitude towards the team’s analysts following his standout performance in the match, which included a crucial late save against Gilson Benchimol to maintain a deadlock. His successful penalty saves against Cape Verde’s Bebé, Willy Semedo, and Laros Duarte, followed by a decisive save against Patrick Andrade, clinched a 2-1 victory on penalties for South Africa, advancing them to the semifinals. The match, held in Yamoussoukro, was intensely competitive, ending without goals even after extra time.