Polokwane - Ronwen Williams is learning to do more and talk less. The SuperSport United goalkeeper, who is part of the Bafana Bafana squad facing Senegal in a 2018 World Cup qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, lashed out after he was overlooked for the national team’s trip away to Burkina Faso last month, telling an online publication that his omission for the opening Group D match was like a “kick in the face”.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have said it,” Williams explained this week. “I think I should have rather kept my mouth shut and continued to work hard to earn a place back in the team. If I’m not here for the next qualifier, then I need to ask what went wrong and how should I push myself to be back in the team again. That is water under the bridge now and I’m looking forward to cementing my place in the team.”
His frustration had come as a result of seeing Jackson Mabokgwane, a man who’s hardly kicked a ball since moving to Orlando Pirates at the start of the season, selected ahead of him. Williams has been able to hold on to the SuperSport No 1 jersey even with the arrival of Reyaad Pieterse from Kaizer Chiefs.
With the club having now gone nine games unbeaten and in the semi-final of the Telkom Knockout Cup despite a wobbly start to the 2016-17 campaign, it’s no surprise that Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba included three SuperSport players in the team to face Senegal this afternoon. Dean Furman, the Matsatsantsa captain, was later withdrawn after a scan revealed he suffered a rib injury.
“It speaks volumes for our team and the hard work we put it. The guys are standing out, doing good and credit must go to coach Shakes for his selections,” said Williams, whose debut for Bafana was a 5-0 defeat to five-time world champions Brazil at the FNB Stadium in March 2014.
“I’ve long forgotten about that. Look at what happened to Iker Casillas at the World Cup two years ago where he let in five goals against the Netherlands and bounced back.
“We beat Pirates 6-1 in a league game, but that doesn’t mean (Brighton) Mhlongo is a bad goalkeeper. He did his best on the day but we put our chances away.”
There’s also a new inspiration for Williams in 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) winner André Arendse, who unexpectedly ditched Bidvest Wits to join SuperSport just in time for the start of the new season as a goalkeeper coach.
“It’s unreal,” said a gushing Williams. “When I was promoted to the first team as a 17-year-old, André was winning league trophies for SuperSport. What he has achieved in his career is amazing. I used to watch him on TV back in the days and for him to work with me is unbelievable.
“He encourages me every day, helping me to concede fewer goals. We’re the last to leave the training pitch, always working on our distribution or handling. It’s clear he still has passion for the game and that’s what he’s brought to my game. His experience is rubbing off on me.”
The 24-year-old has been sharing a room with Bafana first-choice Itumeleng Khune this week and he might have lost out on valuable tips had he gone home early following a collarbone injury scare.
“It’s amazing to be room-mates with Itu, a guy who has achieved so much in a short space of time, whether it’s Bafana or his team (Kaizer Chiefs),” Williams said.
“We speak about the games coming up and off-the-pitch stuff - a normal conversation. I learn a lot from him as well. After a session we’ll discuss what I could have done better and what technique to use.”
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Saturday Star