Ronwen Williams is South Africa’s first-choice goalkeeper in the ongoing AFCON competition. His performance in the tournament has been nothing but impressive and also instrumental in their crucial win over Democratic Republic of Congo in the third place qualifiers today which ended 6-5 in South Africa’s favour after penalty shootout.
He is a name that every soccer fan should know. He is the captain and goalkeeper of the South African national team, also known as Bafana Bafana. He is also a star player for Mamelodi Sundowns, one of the most successful clubs in the South African Premier Soccer League.
But what makes Ronwen Williams so special? How did he rise from a humble background to become one of the best goalkeepers in Africa? What are his achievements, challenges, and aspirations? And how did he lead his team to the semifinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), saving four penalties in a dramatic shootout?
In this article, we will explore the life and career of Ronwen Williams, the heroic goalkeeper of South Africa. We will cover his age, biography, family, networth, career, and AFCON performance. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about him.
If you are interested in learning more about this amazing soccer player, then read on and enjoy!
Table of Contents
– Ronwen Williams: The Heroic Goalkeeper of South Africa
– Table of Contents
– Age and Biography
– Family and Personal Life
– Networth and Salary
– Career and Achievements
– Club Career
– International Career
– AFCON Performance
– Conclusion
Ronwen Williams Age and Biography
Ronwen Hayden Williams was born on January 21, 1992, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He is currently 32 years old as of 2024. He grew up in Gelvandale, a suburb of Port Elizabeth, where he developed his passion for soccer at a young age.
He started playing soccer at the age of six, following the footsteps of his mother, Hazel Williams, who was a former striker for Shutterproof Women FC. He also looked up to his uncle, who was a goalkeeper, and his father, who was his first coach.
He joined the SuperSport United academy in 2004, when he was 12 years old, after impressing the scouts with his skills. He moved to Pretoria, where he attended the Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sport School and completed his high school education in 2009.
He signed his first professional contract with SuperSport United in 2010, and made his debut in 2012, at the age of 20. He spent 12 years with the club, winning three league titles, one Nedbank Cup, and one MTN 8 trophy. He also became the club’s all-time appearance leader, with 373 games played.
In 2022, he joined Mamelodi Sundowns, another powerhouse of South African soccer, on a free transfer. He made his debut in the 2022-23 season opener, keeping a clean sheet against Cape Town City FC.
Ronwen Williams’ Family and Personal Life
Ronwen Williams comes from a loving and supportive family. He has two siblings, a brother and a sister. His brother, Marvin, who was seven years older than him, died in a car accident in 2010, which was a devastating blow for Ronwen and his family.
Ronwen Williams is married to his long-time girlfriend, Roshni Williams, whom he met in high school. They tied the knot in 2016, in a beautiful ceremony attended by their friends and family. They have a son together, named Mikael, who was born in 2017.
Ronwen Williams is a devout Christian, who credits his faith for his strength and success. He is also a humble and generous person, who supports various charitable causes and initiatives. He is especially passionate about helping young and aspiring soccer players, who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, to achieve their dreams.
Ronwen Williams Networth and Salary
Ronwen Williams is one of the wealthiest and highest-paid soccer players in South Africa. His net worth is estimated to be between $1 million to $5 million, according to various sources. His main source of income is his salary as a professional soccer player, as well as his endorsements and sponsorships.
His annual salary at his current club, Mamelodi Sundowns, is reported to be R500,000, which is equivalent to about $33,000. This makes him one of the top earners in the club, and in the league. He also earns extra income from his deals with brands such as Nike, Samsung, and Coca-Cola.
Ronwen Williams Career and Achievements
Ronwen Williams has had an illustrious and remarkable career, both at the club and international level. He has won several trophies, awards, and accolades, and has broken many records. He has also faced many challenges, setbacks, and criticisms, but he has always overcome them with courage and determination.
Club Career
Ronwen Williams started his club career with SuperSport United, where he spent 12 years, from 2010 to 2022. He made his debut in January 2012, in a league match against Free State Stars, keeping a clean sheet. He also made his debut in the CAF Champions League in 2012, against Matlama FC, also keeping a clean sheet.
He established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for the club, and helped them win three consecutive league titles, from 2012 to 2014. He also won the Nedbank Cup in 2016, and the MTN 8 trophy in 2017. He was named the club’s Player of the Season in 2017 and 2019, and the Players’ Player of the Season in 2019.
He became the club’s all-time appearance leader, with 373 games played, surpassing the previous record of 369 games held by Thabo September. He also became the first goalkeeper in the history of the PSL to score a goal, when he converted a penalty against Bidvest Wits in 2019.
In 2022, he joined Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning champions of the PSL, on a free transfer. He made his debut in the 2022-23 season opener, keeping a clean sheet against Cape Town City FC. He has since become a key player for the club, and has helped them maintain their dominance in the league and in the continent.
International Career
Ronwen Williams made his international debut for South Africa on March 5, 2014, in a friendly match against Brazil, replacing the injured Itumeleng Khune. He conceded five goals in a 5-0 defeat, which was a harsh introduction to the international stage.
He was part of the squad that participated in the 2015 and 2019 AFCON tournaments, but he did not play any game, as he was the third-choice goalkeeper behind Khune and Darren Keet. He also missed out on the 2016 Olympics, due to a shoulder injury.
He finally got his chance to shine in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers, where he played four games, keeping three clean sheets, and helping South Africa qualify for the tournament. He was also named the new captain of the national team, after Thulani Hlatshwayo was dropped from the squad by the new coach, Hugo Broos.
He has since proven to be a leader and a hero for his team, especially in the 2023 AFCON tournament, where he has been instrumental in their progress to the semifinals. He has played six games, keeping four clean sheets, and saving four penalties in a shootout against Cape Verde in the quarterfinals. He has also made some crucial saves in the group stage and in the round of 16, earning him the praise and admiration of his teammates, coach, fans, and pundits.
Ronwen Williams AFCON Performance
Ronwen Williams has been one of the standout performers in the 2023 AFCON tournament, which is currently taking place in Ivory Coast. He has been the backbone of the South African defense, and has shown his quality and character in every game.
He started the tournament with a loss against Mali in a 2-0 match. He then kept clean sheets against Namibia, in a 4-0 victory, but he made some important saves to keep his team in the game.
In the round of 16, he faced Morroco, and he delivered a masterclass performance which saw him to the next round of the game.
It is worthy to note that the AFCON 2023 has been nothing short of pure talents, brilliance and fine masterpiece.
The finals will be coming up tomorrow between the host county Cote d’evoir and Nigeria.
