Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams reveals that despite them being hammered 5-0 by powerhouse Brazil, that match was perhaps the most important match for him in national team colours.
The South African shotstopper earns his 50th Bafana cap on Tuesday afternoon in their final 2025 AFCON Qualifiers clash against South Sudan at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
A young Williams was handed his first Bafana cap against the Samba Boys in March 2014, and even though he conceded so many goals on the night, ‘Ronza’ reckons this was the game that shaped him into the world-class goalkeeper he has now turned out to be.
“The most important game for me was against Brazil,” Williams told the media.
“Even though we lost 5-0, I still have so many memories, and that game taught me so much. It’s probably the reason where I am where I am today.
“Because I had to persevere. I was called many names, and it made me strong a such a young age. I think I was 22 years old and there were so many doubts for many, many years and that game, at such a young age, turned me into a man.
Join the iDiski Times WhatsApp Channel for all latest SA football news directly to your phone.
“And that was most probably the most important game I’ve played for Bafana.”
Williams admits that the hammering by the five-time world champions haunted him for the longest time as people kept bringing it up, but that the 2023 AFCON, where he was voted as the best goalkeeper, proved worthwhile.
“It’s years and years of sacrifice, you know the main thing is just perseverance not giving up,” he added.
“Like I said my international career didn’t start on the best note, and for long I had to fight that.
“And it was difficult. Some moments were difficult, some moments you know you just try and play it off, but it just couldn’t leave me.
“People kept bringing that up and it just stuck with me for such a long time that I had to have a wonderful AFCON at the highest level for people to maybe finally let it go.
“Even though it happened 10 years ago, people still brought it up.
“So, for me it was just about controlling what I could control was my experiences that I’ve gained over the last few years, my performance, the way I see the game.
“And just put Bafana rightfully where it deserves to be. And I think over the last few years, it’s been good for us.
“We just need to continue doing that, continue fighting and when things are tough, just persevere.
“Because things will eventually turn out for you if you remain professional. If you continue doing the right things.
“And that’s what I live by – doing the right things all the time and just being professional,” he further said.
