Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper and Bafana Bafana captain, Ronwen Williams, has been honored with a nomination for the prestigious Ballon d'Or Yachine Trophy, which recognizes the world's best goalkeeper.
At 32 years old, Williams is listed among the top 10 nominees, joining a distinguished group of goalkeepers from Europe’s elite leagues.
His nomination highlights a remarkable year, including being named goalkeeper of the tournament at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where he played a key role in securing a bronze medal for South Africa. Williams was also awarded the PSL Footballer of the Year last season, becoming only the third player to achieve this accolade.
The Yachine Trophy nominees include Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia), Andre Lunin (Ukraine), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Mike Maignan (France), Diogo Costa (Portugal), Gregor Kobel (Switzerland), Yann Sommer (Switzerland), Unai Simon (Spain), and Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), the 2023 winner.
Williams faces tough competition from Europe’s top goalkeepers, but his nomination is a significant testament to his skill and contributions to South African football. The winner will be announced on October 28 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France.
