Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams believes his multiple nominations of the CAF Awards should inspire current and future generations of soccer players in South Africa.
Williams has been nominated in three categories, namely Player of the Year, CAF Inter-Club Player of the Year, and Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2024 CAF awards ceremony to be held in Morocco on Monday.
READ | From 5-0 to 50 | 'I was called names...'
The Bafana Bafana star is competing with Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy, Achraf Hakimi, and Ademola Lookman - all playing overseas - for the Player of the Year accolade. He is also vying for the CAF Inter-Club Player of the Year award with Ahmed Zizo and Hussein El Shahat of Zamalek and Al Ahly respectively.
The 32-year-old was nominated for the Yashin Trophy during the FIFA Ballon d'Or awards ceremony earlier this year.
Williams has attributed his successes in football to hard work and perseverance.
"I am just glad and happy that I am representing South Africa and hopeful I can inspire the next generation and even the current generation to dream. For someone who didn't have it smooth but now has been nominated amongst the best goalkeepers in the World and now Africa as well, it needs to open doors for others to even dream bigger and go on to win it because we can do it if you have the right mindset, if you persevere, because I have persevered throughout my career.
"Now I am bearing the fruits of the hard labour that I went through. It's unbelievable, it's amazing," said Williams during a press conference at Chloorkop on Friday.
"The coach can attest to how the WhatsApp group was going off yesterday, so many messages and everyone happy and excited. So, I am just glad and happy to be amongst the greats.
READ | Portuguese takeover at Downs
"For me, I am already a winner just being there. The work starts and for Ronwen Williams from Port Elizabeth in South Africa being there as a goalkeeper speaks volumes. So, you need to keep believing, keep going, and hopefully inspire South Africans to stay on that stage," he added.
Meanwhile, the Gqeberha-born player and his teammates are breathing a sigh of relief after Sundowns defeated Raja Club Athletic in a CAF Champions League match in Tshwane on Sunday. They are now in second spot in Group B, level on five points with leaders AS FAR Rabat and have three more games left in the competition.