Williams Dedicates CAF Award To All Goalkeeper Coaches

History-making South African goalkeeper and Bafana Bafana captain, Ronwen Williams, dedicated his 2024 CAF Goalkeeper of the Year award to his former goalkeeper coaches during the CAF Awards 2024 ceremony in Morocco on Monday.

Williams became the first South African goalkeeper to claim the prestigious award. Additionally, he was honored with the CAF Inter-Club Player of the Year award, making him the sole recipient of two awards at the gala dinner attended by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

While Williams missed out on the main prize, the CAF Player of the Year, which was awarded to Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, he graciously accepted his achievements:

“It’s been an incredible year for me, but I couldn’t have done it alone,” Williams said in his acceptance speech. “I’m grateful to all the players, coaches, and technical staff who have supported me throughout my career.”

“I want to dedicate this award to all the goalkeeper coaches who have mentored me since I was a young boy: Grant Johnson, Deshi Bhaktawer, Andre Arendse, William Shongwe, Lucky Shiburi, Lee Baxter, Wendell Robinson, and the legendary Kennedy Mweene. I’m eternally grateful to you for shaping me into the player I am today.”

Williams’s outstanding performances for Mamelodi Sundowns, including their seventh consecutive Betway Premiership title and the African Football League title, were instrumental in his success. He was named Player of the Tournament in the African Football League and became the third goalkeeper in the PSL to win the PSL Footballer of the Year award.

On the international stage, Williams played a crucial role in helping Bafana Bafana secure the bronze medal at the delayed African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. He was recognized as the Goalkeeper of the Tournament and was included in the Team of the Tournament.