Nigeria international Stanley Nwabali has had some high praise for Bafana Bafana skipper and Mamelodi Sundowns star Ronwen Williams.
The 32-year-old Williams was recently named as one of the nominees for the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or Awards after a stellar year for club and country.
At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, Williams came to the world’s attention after saving four penalties in Bafana Bafana’s quarter-final shoot-out win against Cape Verde.
He would later go on to have another star performance in the third place play-off, where Hugo Broos’ South Africa claimed the bronze medal after beating the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties.
And in the colours of Sundowns, Williams helped the club clinch a seventh straight league title, as well as the inaugural African Football League trophy.
Awarded for the first time in 2019, the annual Yashin Trophy is given to the world’s best goalkeeper and is named after late Soviet great Lev Yashin. World Cup-winner Emiliano Martínez is the current holder, while Alisson, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Thibaut Courtois have also won it in the past.
Nwabali, whose Nigeria knocked Bafana Bafana out of the African Cup of Nations, said he was impressed by Williams’ form over the last year.
“... I really see him as the best goalkeeper in the world. He really inspires me with how he plays, and I’m not surprised to see him on the list of nominees of the best goalkeepers in the world,” the Nigerian, who turns out for Chippa United, was quoted by iDiskiTimes on Tuesday.
“Ronwen Williams did really well and not only at the AFCON but at club level as well.”
IOL Sport