Bafana star Williams makes history as first South African nominated at Ballon d'Or awards

Bafana Bafana captain and Mamelodi Sundowns star Ronwen Williams has made history as one of ten goalkeepers nominated for the prestigious Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or awards.

Williams, who is currently sidelined due to injury and will miss Bafana's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan, is the first South African to receive an esteemed nomination at the awards. 

Williams has been exceptional for both Sundowns and Bafana in recent years.

His remarkable performances helped Sundowns secure the inaugural African Football League and the 2023/24 Premiership title.

His stellar performances in the 2023-24 season saw him make 46 appearances for Sundowns, where he clocked an impressive 4,200 minutes between the posts.

During this time, Williams conceded just 19 goals and kept 30 clean sheets, a testament to his remarkable consistency and skill.

His extraordinary form earned him the AFL Goalkeeper of the Tournament and the PSL Goalkeeper of the Season accolades, further cementing his reputation as one of the finest goalkeepers in African football.

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Williams's star shone brightest on the continental stage in February, when he showcased his extraordinary penalty-saving skills in Bafana's 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Cape Verde.

His heroics, which included saving four penalties, were instrumental in propelling Bafana to a historic bronze medal - South Africa's best Afcon finish since 2000. Meanhwile, he also walked away with Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.

His nomination for the Yashin Trophy sees him in illustrious company, contending with some of the world’s elite goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris