Ronwen Williams steals hearts with Bafana 'brotherhood' declaration

South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has touched the hearts of many after attributing the side's 2023 Africa Cup of Nations success to a sense of brotherhood present in the camp. 

The Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper played a pivotal role in Bafana Bafana's AFCON campaign that saw them finish in third place, beating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties after just falling short in the semi-finals. 

Read: 'He was going to give DRC two penalties that one' 

Prior to that, Williams saved an incredible four penalties in South Africa's quarter-final match against Cape Verde to help the side progress to the next round. 

Having made it as far they have in the tournament that recently concluded with Ivory Coast clinching the trophy and becoming the new champions of the continent, the keeper said that he was pleased with the team's overall performance. 

"I'm feeling good, happy. So happy for the boys. I think we fully deserved it, just for the brotherhood we showed in this last six week since we've been together. I'm so proud of each and every member of the squad. Not many people believed in us, but we had the sense of belief and togetherness. I'm just proud to lead such a wonderful team," he told France24.

"For me, the main thing with this group of players is just the brotherhood, the togetherness, how the spirit is amongst each other. We'll find each other sitting, watching TV together, playing cards, so the brotherhood helps us for the spirit in camp," the skipper added. 

He added that the composition away from the pitch contributed to the team achieving third place at the competition. 

"It's key. it's probably one of the things we got right and spot on this camp and I think that helped us. So, when things are not going well we can discuss it openly and freely; not feeling that 'someone will attack me' or 'he won't take it nicely' but because the spirit amongst us is good and everyone wants the team to do well, we all take it and we can all tell each other good things or bad things and we take it on the chin and we try to be better. 

"I think that that was the key. The most important thing for us this tournament was that brotherhood, that togetherness and I think that is the reason why we ended up where we were."

His heroics throughout the tournament not only won the hearts of many South Africans but it also earned him the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament award. Williams, however, adoringly attributed his success to the rest of his compatriots, which is perhaps embodied why South Africa were awarded the Fair-Play Team award. 

"I feel so happy, so proud. But I couldn't do it alone. It's a team, it's a collective the way we defended throughout the tournament. I think we conceded the least amount of goals int he tournament so that speaks volumes of the entire team, the work that we do defensively so I'm just proud of all the achievements we achieved together as a team," the 32-year-old said.  

He went on to express his excitement at the prospect of returning home. He said: "I can't wait to see our people. I'm glad that Bafana Bafana has brought our people back together again."

Read: 'No right back worked more than Mudau' 

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