Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams admits his move to the club from SuperSport United has taken him to the next level of his career.
Williams, 31, completed an off-season switch from their Tshwane rivals SuperSport United, where he had spent 18 years as a player and rose to become the Bafana Bafana captain.
Question marks were raised due to the presence of continental legends Denis Onyango, Kennedy Mweene, his former teammate Riyaad Pieterse, Ricardo Goss and Jody February.
But Williams was unbothered by the talk and went on to win his first DStv Premiership title with a league record 18 clean sheets, surpassing Moeneeb Josephs’ feat with Orlando Pirates more than a decade ago.
“It’s been an amazing season for me, but it’s all down to hard work, perseverance and not giving up you know,” Williams said about the Goalkeeper of the Season award and his nomination for the annual PSL awards.
“Obviously coming on board, I couldn’t waste time I had to kick on from the start, from the minute I got here and the ability to learn and gel with the team, and take in information was highly important.
“They make it easy for me, I play with wonderful players, top talents, some of the best on the continent, and the technical team makes it easy for me [too], they give the information that one needs to go and win the game, credit to them for the amazing work they’ve done.”
The sweeper-keeper who has impressed in the ultra-attacking possession-based system under Rulani Mokwena has taken his game to new heights, not only with the incredible shot-stopping and conceding only 22 goals in his 38 games but for his passing ability too.
“Definitely [I felt I could improve], like I said before I’ve always watched Sundowns with keen interest when I was on the other side [at SuperSport United],” he explained when asked about his improvement in all facets of his game.
“They played amazing football and you could see… having played with Denis [Onyango] before, Riyaad [Pieterse], and seeing how their game evolved, that’s what I was chasing.
“Yes I was doing well, I was doing okay but I wanted to do better, be even greater and I knew coming here was a challenge I was looking forward to. Rubbing shoulders with the best you have to improve.”
Williams will now lead Bafana in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Morocco at FNB Stadium in June, with both nations already qualified for the biennial event.
