Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Dennis Onyango has backed his teammate Ronwen Williams to win the prestigious Yachine trophy following his nomination for the Ballon d’Or award. 

Williams’ recognition comes after a standout performance at the 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations in Ivory Coast, where he helped Bafana Bafana secure a Bronze medal and was subsequently named goalkeeper of the tournament. 

Furthermore, with 30 clean sheets in 46 appearances across all competitions, the 32-year-old Downs shot-stopper was also named the 2023/24 PSL Footballer of the Season, becoming the third goalkeeper to achieve this feat after Andre Arendse and Itumeleng Khune. 

Now, Onyango believes his counterpart deserves to walk away with the best goalkeeper in the world award, taking into consideration his outstanding display at the continental showpiece in January, as well as the domestic and continental trophies he won. 

“He stands a big chance, looking at his performance at AFCON, ” he said. 

“It was incredible, leading the team to third spot is massive, the saves he made, and the leadership showed he has matured, and he deserves to be part of it. 

“Of course, also winning the AFL [African Football League] with Sundowns, we all know what impact he made when he was playing, and the league, also the Champions League going all the way to the semifinal.”

 The former Uganda international says he is proud of what Bafana’s number one has achieved since his move to Chloorkop, commending Williams’ commitment to the game on and off the pitch regardless of the shirt he’s wearing. 

“So, for me, I think looking at the other goalkeepers that are drawn with him, I think he stands a better chance, ” said Onyango. 

“But that’s not for us to judge, for me, it’s to be proud of what he has achieved in the short time he has been with the club. 

“And also coming in as the number one in the national team, it shows his commitment on and off the field. The hard work that he puts on the pitch, in training is more of what he has shown when he plays not only for Sundowns but also for the national team.” 

Williams faces stiff competition from Andre Lunin of Ukraine, Georgia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili, Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, Switzerland’s Yann Sommer and Gregor Kobel, France’s Mike Maignan, Spain’s Unai Simon, Portugal’s Diogo Costa and the 2023 winner Emiliano Martinez, who helped Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title. 

The winner of the Ballon d’Or Yachine trophy, which has now been collaborated with UEFA will be announced on Monday, 28 October in Paris, France.

Article by Hlayisani Magoro