Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has made history by becoming the first-ever South African to be nominated at one of football’s biggest award ceremonies, the Ballon d’Or.
The event is set to take place in Théâtre du Châtelet, located in Paris, France on the 28th of October. It is here where the best-performing soccer players are all recognised for their contributions to the sport.
Ronwen, a vital component of both the national team and his local club Mamelodi Sundowns has been nominated among several others for the Yachine Trophy, an award that provides recognition to outstanding goalkeepers.
His nomination comes at a time when the 32-year-old has been in excellent form for both club and country. Earlier this year, he walked away with the goalkeeper of the tournament award after Bafana won the bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations. He managed to keep a record of five clean sheets.
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He also steered Mamelodi Sundowns to win the inaugural African Football League and the South African Premier Division this past season.
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According to South African sports broadcaster SuperSport, the Mamelodi Sundowns goal-stopper is also the first African goalkeeper to secure himself a nomination at the prestigious football award ceremony.
Meanwhile, other nominees include Diogo Costa, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Gregor Kobel, Andriy Lunin, Mike Maignan, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Emiliano Martinez, Unai Simon and Yann Sommer.
Taking to Instagram, the Ronwen Williams Foundation expressed their excitement.
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Also see: Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams makes AFCON history
