Chippa United coach Kwanele Kopo has wished Bafana Bafana & Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams well ahead of this evening’s Ballon D’Or ceremony in France.
Williams was a notable absentee as Sundowns fell to their first league defeat against Polokwane City this past weekend as he had travelled to Europe where he will contest for the Yachine Trophy against Europe’s best shot stoppers.
Kopo worked with Williams at SuperSport United during his time at the club and witnessed Williams’s career growth from United development until their career patch changed ways. Kopo and Williams are both from Eastern Cape province which makes them even more connected.
After the Chilli Boys’ win over Golden Arrows on Saturday evening, Kopo spent nearly two minutes on his post-match interview, praising and wishing Williams the best of luck.
“I don’t know how many times I have to speak about Ronwen,” Kopo told SuperSport TV.
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“Every single time I get emotional about it because we know where we come from, we know the challenges he had at the age of 18 or 19.
“It’s amazing how he has revived himself after that doing exceptionally well for SuperSport United, moving to Sundowns doing exceptionally well going on to Bafana Bafana.
“I remember the first game he conceded five goals, today he was the pillar of Bafana, he is the captain of the team.
“I’m very proud of him. I think the people of the Eastern Cape are very proud of him. It is a token of hope for a lot of kids in this area that there is talent in the Eastern Cape, there is a lot of talent in the Eastern Cape.
“For South African kids they’ve got to believe, and South Africa is very proud of him.
“So, coming from this myself I probably have to say it in three languages; firstly, in English, we are proud of you Ronwen and we wish you all the best for the Yachine trophy, Ons is baie, baie trots vir jou [We are very, very proud for you] and sinebhongo ngawe Ronwen, yaye siyathemba into yokuba uyakuphumelela.
“I think it’s a major achievement for South Africa, it’s a massive achievement for him to be even mentioned in those lines.
“Whatever the outcome is, he has achieved a lot already. I am happy for his family, for everything they have gone through, for the strategy they experienced in 2010, and for Ronwen to dedicate the rest of his career to his brother, his spirit lives on in him.”
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