Ronwen Williams Makes History

RONWEN WILLIAMS MAKES HISTORY

SUNDOWNS AND

BAFANA BAFANA STAR NOMINATED FOR

PRESTIGIOUS YASHIN TROPHY

Author: Natashe Hove

Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has made history by placing ninth in the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy, becoming the first goalkeeper from an African club to receive such an honour. This remarkable achievement places him among the top 10 goalkeepers in the world and marks a groundbreaking moment for South African and African football as a whole.

The Yashin Trophy, named after the legendary Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin, honors the world’s best goalkeeper and is determined by votes from football journalists in the top 100 ranked countries. Williams’ inclusion in the 2024 list celebrates his achievements with Mamelodi Sundowns, where he contributed to their record-breaking seventh consecutive Premier Soccer League (PSL) title. Standing as the only African on the list, he finds himself among the global elite.

On the continental stage, Williams played a key role in Sundowns’ success in the inaugural African Football League and their journey to the CAF Champions League semifinals. His presence and performance have shone a well-deserved light on African-based goalkeepers.

In an interview, Mamelodi Sundowns’ Goalkeeper Coach, Wendell Robinson, praised Williams: “Ronwen has been amazing. This nomination is a testament to his quality as a keeper and as a person. At Mamelodi Sundowns, he is surrounded by other talented keepers, including Jody February, Reyaad Pieterse and Sanele Tshabalala. The healthy competition here pushes everyone to excel. When Ronwen joined Sundowns, he was competing with Kenedy Mweene, the retired Uganda National Team Captain, who is now our assistant Goalkeeper Coach. Our goalkeeper’s union is strong.”

12 Months of Glory for Williams
This nomination crowns an exceptional 12 months for Williams. Domestically, he helped secure the PSL Premiership title for Sundowns and made match-winning contributions in the CAF Champions League, solidifying his position as one of Africa’s top goalkeepers. His leadership and consistency were crucial to Sundowns’ continued success in South Africa.

On the international stage, Williams was the backbone of Bafana Bafana’s bronze-medal finish at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. His heroics during the quarterfinals against Cape Verde, where he saved four penalties in a thrilling shootout, ended Bafana’s 24-year wait to reach the semifinals. With five clean sheets in seven games, including four in succession, and being named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament, Williams demonstrated why he is one of Africa’s finest goalkeepers.
Reflecting on the incredible recognition, Williams expressed his gratitude: “Just being a nominee feels like a win. It still seems surreal, and I hope this recognition can inspire young footballers across Africa.”

When asked about his future goals, the Bafana Bafana captain shared, “I want to excel in all competitions at both club and national levels. With Bafana Bafana, our focus is on qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. For Mamelodi Sundowns, we aim to surpass last year’s achievements, retain the league title, win more cups, and reach the CAF Champions League final.”

About the Yashin Trophy
The Yashin Trophy, named after Lev Yashin, honors the world’s best male goalkeeper annually. Lev Yashin, regarded as one of football’s greatest, played over 400 games for Dynamo Moscow and the Soviet Union, kept more than 270 clean sheets, and saved over 150 penalties. He remains the only goalkeeper to have ever won the Ballon d’Or, a feat he achieved in 1963. The Yashin Trophy was introduced in 2019 to recognize excellence in goalkeeping, a position often overlooked in global awards.

Although the 2024 Yashin Trophy went to Emiliano Martínez of Manchester City, Williams attended the grand ceremony in Paris, standing among football’s elite. His recognition as one of the world’s best goalkeepers has already secured his legacy and will undoubtedly inspire future African footballers. Williams now looks forward to the 2024 CAF Awards, where he is nominated in three categories: Goalkeeper of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year and Men’s Player of the Year.

Did You Know?

1. Ronwen Williams is the first goalkeeper from an African club to be nominated for the Yashin Trophy

2. George Weah who served as the 25th president of Liberia from 2018 to 2024, is the first African former professional footballer to become a head of state, and the only African Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year winner in history, winning both awards in 1995

3. Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa is the current Yashin Trophy holder and is nominated again this year

4. Yashin Trophy winners are:
• Emiliano Martinez (2023 & 2024)
• Thibaut Courtois (2022)
• Gianluigi Donnarumma (2021)
• Alisson (2019)

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