Ronwen Makes History as First African Goalkeeper Nominated for Yashin Trophy 

Ronwen Williams, South Africa’s number one goalkeeper, has added to his growing list of accomplishments after it was announced on Wednesday that the acrobatic shot-stopper has historically been named to the list of Goalkeeper of the Year nominees for world football’s most prestigious individual trophy, the Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy.

Not only is this a first for Africa, but the Bafana Bafana captain becomes the first African footballer to be nominated for the award.

As the sole African-based goalkeeper, Williams was named one of the world’s ten best shot-stoppers, alongside current holders Emiliano Martez (Argentina), Unai Simon (Spain), and Diogo Costa (Portugal), among others.

African football star George Weah is still the only African to have been named the finest player in the world, having won the Ballon d’Or in 1995 ahead of Jurgen Klinsmann of Germany and Jari Litman of Finland. Weah was also the first non-European to get the award.

Williams (32) has had a remarkable rise since joining former African champions Mamelodi Sundowns from cross-town rivals and childhood club SuperSport United in July 2022.

The Bafana Bafana captain played a key role in Mamelodi Sundowns’ back-to-back titles after joining the club. A feat that catapulted him to the national team’s number one custodian position.

The Gqeberha-born goalkeeper literally grabbed the challenge of being Hugo Broos’ trusted keeper with both hands, putting up undoubtedly one of the standout performances at the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Cote d’Ivoire 2023, where he denied Cape Verde four times in a quarter-final penalty shootout.

Williams’ acrobatics and penalty saves also came to the fore in the third-place play-off against DR Congo, where he saved two penalties to help his nation to a podium finish that was accompanied by him being voted the Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the continental showpiece. 

The Ballon d’Or awards ceremony will take place on Monday, 28 October 2024.

Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy Nominees:

Diogo Costa (Portugal), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Gregor Kobel (Switzerland), Andriy Lunin (Ukraine), Mike Maignan (France), Giorgi Mamarsdashvili (Georgia), Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Unai Simon (Spain), Yann Sommer (Switzerland), Ronwen Williams (South Africa).