Bafana Bafana captain and Mamelodi Sundowns star, Ronwen Williams, has achieved a historic milestone by being nominated for the prestigious Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards. Williams is the only African goalkeeper among the ten nominees for FIFA’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, marking a significant moment in football history.
Williams’ nomination is particularly notable as he is the first goalkeeper to be recognized for this award while playing for an African club. His outstanding performance throughout the 2023/2024 season has been a key factor in this achievement. During this period, Williams recorded an impressive 35 clean sheets in 59 games, demonstrating his exceptional skill and consistency.
His contributions on the international stage have also been remarkable. Williams was named the Best Goalkeeper at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023, where he secured 4 clean sheets. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in Mamelodi Sundowns’ victories in both the African Football League and the South African League. His remarkable performances also helped South Africa clinch the 2023 AFCON Bronze medal.
The Yashin Trophy, named after the legendary Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin, who remains the only keeper to have won the Ballon d’Or in 1963, celebrates the best goalkeeping talent worldwide. Williams’ inclusion in the list places him alongside some of the world’s top goalkeepers, including Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), and Yann Sommer (Inter Milan).
Previous winners of the Yashin Trophy include Emiliano Martinez (2023), Thibaut Courtois (2022), Gianluigi Donnarumma (2021), and Alisson Becker (2019), highlighting the trophy’s significance in recognizing the best goalkeepers in the world. Williams’ nomination is a testament to his exceptional skills and contributions to both club and country. It also represents a significant moment for African football, showcasing the global recognition of talent emerging from the continent.
In other news – Zinara clarifies tollgate fee exemption criteria – Government vehicles and chiefs only
The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) has issued a clear statement regarding tollgate fee exemptions, specifying that only government vehicles and those specifically assigned to traditional chiefs are eligible for exemption. This clarification comes as part of an effort to address previous misuse of the exemption system and ensure fair application of toll fees.
Under the updated policy, motorists residing within a 10-kilometer radius of a tollgate are eligible for a single discounted pass per day. Any additional trips made within the same day will be charged at the full rate. Read More
