RONWEN NOT INTERESTED IN OTHER SA TEAMS
‘If I were to move, it has to be an overseas move’
SUPERSPORT United goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has no desire to play for any of the other big teams in South Africa, instead his main objective is to own the Bafana Bafana jersey.
Williams has been on top of his game for the past 18 months for both club and country.
Last season he won the Goalkeeper of the Season gong at the PSL awards in Durban.
Fresh from winning that award, Williams was on the plane to Egypt where he commanded the No 1 jersey for Bafana during the Africa Cup of Nations.
Williams is currently the king of clean sheets in the league with seven. His vigilant displays have seen him linked to Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns but the rumours are “meaningless” to Williams whose focus is at maintaining his spot between the sticks for Matsatsantsa.
“I don’t think I need to move (from SuperSport). We are one of the top teams in the country, we are challenging for trophies every year. We’ve shown it over the years that we are an ambitious team. We are winning trophies every year and I’m doing well. I don’t think these teams want me because I never got a call from anyone. SuperSport is the only team that has shown interest all these years. That’s where my heart is,” Williams said.
Williams has played in every game for SuperSport this season.
“If I were to move, it has to be an overseas move. If an opportunity comes, I’ll grab it with both hands but I must be realistic as well. I’m turning 28 soon and I’ve got an average height. You know in Europe, they want taller goalkeepers but you never know. Maybe the more games I play for Bafana, there might be more scouts (interested). I’m happy at SuperSport but if something abroad comes, I will grab it with both hands,” he said.
With Itumeleng Khune struggling with injuries and not even getting game time at Kaizer Chiefs, Williams is commanding a regular starting berth in the national team.
“For the past six months I’ve played each and every game for Bafana. I think I’ve done fairly well. Obviously mistakes are there but we don’t go out to make mistakes, but I learn from that. I’ve learned from the Afcon.
You can see now, I’m much stronger, much more focused. I want to grab my opportunities in the national team with both hands. I must just keep that consistency and continue to work hard at SuperSport. I want to continue being number one for my team and my country. I want to get into the next level internationally,” Williams said.
The Port Elizabeth-born shot stopper is hungry for continental football and has been getting exposure with SuperSport in recent seasons.
“Playing on the continent is a different ball game. It is not easy, it is not for the faint-hearted. When we reached the final (of the Caf Confederation Cup in 2017), we struggled after that in the league. We need to have a full squad,” Williams said.