By Michael Madyira
Bafana Bafana captain and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has been nominated for the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards, putting him among the world’s top goalkeepers.
Williams is the first South African goalkeeper to be nominated for the award. Manchester United’s Andre Onana was the last African goalkeeper to be nominated.
Williams had an impressive year for both his club and South Africa.
He helped Mamelodi Sundowns win the African Football League and was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
His excellent performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations helped Bafana Bafana win a bronze medal, and he was chosen as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
He also won the PSL Goalkeeper of the Season award.
Now, Williams is up for the Yashin Trophy, competing against nine other top goalkeepers.
These include Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin.
The Yashin Trophy is awarded to the best goalkeeper in the world. It is named after the legendary Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin, the only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d’Or. He won it in 1963.
The trophy winner will be announced at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris on 28 October.
Pictured above: Bafana Bafana captain and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Source: Mamelodi Sundowns
