With Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams seemingly in the lead for the Yachin Trophy at the Ballon D’or awards, confusion has since been cleared that the winner will not be based on public voting.
The Bafana number one is the only African goalminder pitted against nine others from across Europe in the likes of Diogo Costa (Portugal, Porto), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy, Paris Saint-Germain), Gregor Kobel (Switzerland, Borussia Dortmund), Andriy Lunin (Ukraine, Real Madrid), Mike Maignan (France, Milan) Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia, Valencia), current holder Emiliano MartÃnez (Argentina, Aston Villa), Unai Simón (Spain, Athletic Club) and Yann Sommer (Switzerland, Inter).
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Just like with the Ballon D’or, the Yashin Trophy will be decided “by a jury of football journalists representing the top 100 countries in the FIFA Men’s Ranking”.
This means regardless of how the public vote for their personal winner, it will not have an impact on the actual outcome.
Williams has also since cleared up the confusion.
“We need to correct the statement that’s been going around,” Williams told SABC.
“It’s not solely based on votes only. There is a judging panel and I think they will have the final say but I think maybe the votes can sway their decision as well cause that’s why they opened the platform for the votes.
“So, yeah I’m just happy that the country is behind me now. I’ve seen the growth especially in the voting and you know when we get together as a country, it’s amazing.
“And it’s not about Ronwen Williams. It is about young kids that I’m seeing outside here to inspire them to dream big.
“Yeah, I’m just proud and happy that South Africans are standing behind our own,” Ronza said.
