PRETORIA - Ronwen Williams has been instrumental for SuperSport United in the past few months, especially with his penalty saving heroics, but life has been difficult for him at the international level.
His poor start to his Bafana Bafana career has not discouraged him in any way and he has vowed to change his fortunes.
Williams saved two penalties to propel his side to their MTN 8 triumph, as SuperSport overcame Cape Town City 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
It was not the first time he has won SuperSport the match on penalties. Williams was also the hero in 2014 when SuperSport lifted the Telkom Knockout cup against Platinum Stars, where he saved Eleazer Rodgers penalty in extra time to hand his side 3-2 victory.
WIlliams told Independent Media after his penalty saving heroics at Moses Mabhida Stadium that he enjoyed facing spotkicks.
“I don’t practice penalties as much. Honestly speaking, and I don’t want to sound like I’m blowing my own horn, but I’ve been a penalty specialist since I started playing football. I’ve always saved and won a lot of matches on penalties,” Williams explained.
"When I started at SuperSport Academy I was saving penalties. I’ve only lost one penalty shoot-out since I graduated in to the first team and that’s the time I kicked and that’s why I don’t kick anymore. Yes man, It is all about belief. I believe in myself and it is all about helping the team."
So incredibly proud to be coaching this amazingly talented @SuperSportFC department pic.twitter.com/BgVGiH2K4F
— Andre Arendse (@TheAndreArendse) October 14, 2017
Williams has won all the cup competitions in the Premier Soccer League, and possesses three Nedbank Cup medals, the MTN 8 and the Telkom Knockout crowns, and his next step is to win the Caf Confederation Cup. The only missing medals in his collection are the continental titles and the Absa Premiership.
“The league is not far away but I want to win the Confederation Cup. We want to write history. We are almost there, We can smell it now,” Williams said.
Williams has made three Bafana appearances and he has been on the receiving end in all of those appearances. One thing he has not done though is throw in the towel on his international career.
“I believe in myself. My family, teammate and friends have been very supportive for me. Coach Stuart Baxter has a faith in myself. If there wasn’t something special about me he wouldn’t have called me up after all these years," Williams added
"I believe I can change my national team career around. I still believe I can play the part. I won’t give up. I know I haven’t had the best of Bafana careers but I will never give up. As long as the coach believes in me, I will keep going,” Williams elaborated.
The SuperSport goal-minder is facing stiff competition for the Bafana No 1 jersey in Itumeleng Khune.
“Itu has been amazing for Bafana. I’m proud of him. I learn from him each and every camp. I willing to wait for my opportunity. He is pillar of strength for the country,” Williams concluded.