Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams says the pride of representing his
country has never diminished, even as he prepares to lead South Africa at
yet another Africa Cup of Nations.
The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper, 33, is the sole survivor from the 2019
AFCON squad and one of just eight players returning from the 2023 edition.
Yet, despite over a decade in the national setup since his 2014 debut,
Williams insists each call-up still carries the same thrill.
“It’s amazing. I’ve been part of the Bafana setup for so long, and yet it
still feels so special,” Williams said. “Every time there’s a squad
announcement, I’m still watching it on TV. I don’t take it for granted that
I’m the captain. For me it’s still an honour, and I will always treat it
like that.”
He describes playing for South Africa as the fulfillment of a childhood
dream—a privilege he is determined to cherish. “Not everyone can reach their
dreams. I am living my dream, so I’ll make the most of it as much as I can.”
Now a seasoned leader, Williams sees his role extending beyond saves. He
actively guides younger teammates through the unique pressures of tournament
football, a responsibility he shared previously with veteran Themba Zwane.
“I told the guys AFCON is very, very difficult—nothing you experience
daily,” he explained. That mentorship has now become a collective effort:
“The guys who were in the previous AFCON are doing that on my behalf,
sharing the experiences, and that’s amazing.”
Williams believes Bafana’s strong domestic-based core—with 19 players
already in camp—gives them a distinct advantage in cohesion and preparation.
“We know each other very well, we play against each other week in, week out.
The team spirit, the camaraderie… most of the players are in good form.”
Acknowledging the tournament’s intensity, he added: “There’s no game that
will be easy at AFCON. But for us, we enjoy it. That’s the difference. We
enjoy playing these high-pressure moments. For some weird reason, we just
love it. And that’s when you get the best out of us.”
