Renowned local football coach Kwanele Kopo has opened up on his conversation with Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams who quit football after the sad passing of his brother.
In a candid conversation with Mahlatse Mphahlele on the 127th episode of the Arena Sports Show on YouTube, Kopo revealed that Williams was deeply affected by losing his brother that he opted to walk away from football altogether.
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“Ronwen quit football after his brother passed on,” Kopo said.
“We were on our way to the Bayhill Tournament in Cape Town and I received a call that his brother had passed away.
“We flew him to Gqeberha [Port Elizabeth] and gave him a month off, but he didn’t come back. I got on the phone and begged him to come back [and play].
“I told him you are destined to play for Bafana Bafana, and also spoke to his mother.”
The former SuperSport United and Chippa United mentor takes pride in how he was able to persuade ‘Ronza’ to return and honour his brother which has paid off dividend because of the shotstopper he has become to be known in Mzansi and globally.
“I think what convinced him to come back was when I told him he must come back to honour his brother because he would never have wanted to see him stop playing football,” Kopo added.
“He is South Africa’s, and probably Africa’s, number one goalkeeper. I am humbled to have had the opportunity to work with these players.”