Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Ronwen aims to ‘shut it’ to earn Bafana spot
Shot-stopper takes tips from Arendse and Khune
RONWEN WILLIAMS is learning to do more and talk less.
The SuperSport United goalkeeper, who is part of the Bafana Bafana squad to face Senegal in a 2018 World Cup qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium this afternoon, had lashed out at being overlooked for the national team’s trip away to Burkina Faso last month, telling an online publication that his omission for the opening Group D match was like a “kick in the face”.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have said it,” Williams explained this week. “I think I should have rather kept my mouth shut and continued to work hard to earn my place back in the team.
“If I am not here for the next qualifier, then I need to ask myself what it is I did wrong and how I should push myself to be back in the team again. That is water under the bridge now and I am looking forward to cementing my place in the team.”
His frustration came as a result of seeing Jackson Mabokgwane, who has hardly played since his move to Orlando Pirates at the start of the season, being selected ahead of him.
Williams has been able to hold on to the SuperSport No 1 jersey even with the arrival of Reyaad Pieterse from Kaizer Chiefs.
W i th Matsatsantsa on a nine-game unbeaten run and in the semi- final of the Telkom Knockout despite a wobbly start to the 201617 campaign, it was no surprise that Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba included three SuperSport players in the team for today’s World Cup qualifier .
Dean Furman, the Matsatsantsa captain, was later withdrawn after a scan revealed he suffered a rib injury.
“It speaks volumes for our team and the hard work we have put in. The guys who are here are standing out, doing good and credit must go to coach Shakes for his selections,” said Williams, who’s debut for Bafana was a 5- 0 defeat to five- time world champions Brazil at the FNB Stadium in March 2014.
“I’ve long forgotten about that. Look at what happened to Iker Casillas at the World Cup two years ago where he let in five goals against the Netherlands and bounced back. We beat Pirates 6- 1 in a league game, but that doesn’t mean ( Brighton) Mhlongo is a bad goalkeeper. He did his best on the day but we put our chances away.”
There’s also a new inspiration for Williams, in 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winner Andre Arendse, who unexpectedly ditched Wits to join SuperSport just in time for the start of the season as a goalkeeper coach.
“It’s unreal,” said a gushing Williams.
“When I was promoted to the first team as a 17- year- old, Andre was winning league trophies for SuperSport. What he has achieved in his career is amazing.
“I used to watch him on TV back in the days and for him to work with me is unbelievable. He encourages me everyday, helping me to concede less goals. We are the last to leave the training pitch, always working on our distribution or handling.
“It’s clear he still has passion for the game and that’s what he has brought to my game this season and his experience is rubbing off on me.”
The 24- year- old has been sharing a room with Bafana first- choice keeper Itume- leng Khune this week and he might have lost out on valuable tips had he gone home early following a collarbone injury scare.
“It’s amazing for me to be roommates with Itu, a guy who has achieved so much in a short space of time, whether it’s Bafana or his team (Kaizer Chiefs),” said SuperSport goalkeeper.
“We speak about the games that are coming up and off the pitch stuff – a normal conversation. I learn a lot from him as well, like after a session we will discuss what I could have done better and which technique to use.”