Ronwen Williams embraces leadership role ahead of AFCON | OneFootball

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Williams on being a leader in Bafana squad

Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackPagePix

Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams has embraced the leadership role he assumes in the South African national team, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The 33-year-old shot-stopper is the only surviving member of the 2019 AFCON squad and one of the eight returnees from the previous edition in Ivory Coast in 2023.

Williams, who made his Bafana debut in 2014 during a 5-0 thrashing against Brazil under the tutelage of Gordon Igesund, says he doesn't take any call-up for granted, despite having amassed 56 caps.

“It's amazing, I've been part of the Bafana set-up for so long and yet it still feels so special. Every time there's a squad announcement, I'm still watching it on TV. I don't take it for granted that I'm the captain or I'm performing,” said the Bafana skipper.

"For me it's still an honor and I will always treat it like that because this was a dream of mine. Not everyone can reach their dreams and I'm living my dream. So, I'll make the most of it as much as I can and it's amazing still being here, being part of the set-up and how important I am to the team.

With the AFCON looming, the experienced goalie relishes helping the young Bafana squad members who will be featuring in the continental showpiece for the first time in their careers.

“Obviously, I have the experience as well to help the boys and tell them that AFCON is a very difficult tournament. The previous campaign, it was myself and Themba [Zwane], we shared our experiences and we told the guys that it's a tough tournament," Williams added.

”It's nothing that you experience on a daily and they all experienced that and share the same sentiments now. So, now the guys who were in the previous AFCON are doing that on my behalf, sharing their experiences and that's amazing.

Bafana will open their AFCON campaign against Angola on Monday, 22 December, before tackling record Seven-time African champions Egypt four days later, and Zimbabwe on 29 December.