Williams backed to deliver at AFCON but 'there might be surprises'

Mamelodi Sundowns shot stopper Ronwen Williams has been tipped to deliver for the country in AFCON to be player in Morocco.

The 33-year-old inspired Masandawana to the third position in the 2023 edition played in Ivory Coast. He has since helped South Africa to qualify for the 2025 campaign, as well as the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Ahead of the forthcoming competition, South Africa’s goalkeeper trainer Grant Johnson insists the skipper will help the national team post positive results in North Africa. He has further hinted that the technical team might make a few changes to the squad.

Ronwen Williams Mamelodi Sundowns — Image – Sundowns

Williams creates the tempo within Bafana Bafana

“Ronwen is a key player in the team, and he always has been, but over the last couple of years, I’m sure since the last AFCON, teams have been analysing us and Ronwen, and how he plays and what he does,” he told the media.

“But probably one of his most important aspects is how he leads the team, and he creates the tempo within the team – the speed of play, whether we’re going to play from the back or play it long, or whatever – Ronwen creates that.

“So we might have a few changes, we’ll see how that goes, there might be a few surprises but I’m confident Ronwen will lead the team very well and we’ve got good structure at the back, and I’m quite confident in our offensive [ability],” Johnson added.

Consistency paying off?

The goalkeeping coach has further explained how keeping almost the same squad is paying dividends for the country.

“I think any team, your spine of the team is the key, and our spine has almost remained the same – that’s your goalkeepers, your two centre-backs, two central midfielders and a striker,” he added.

“And in those departments we have experience, we have players that have been to AFCON before and I really believe we have the ability to go far,” Johnson concluded.

Bafana Bafana have been placed in Group B with Angola, Egypt – who have won AFCON seven times, and Zimbabwe,