A former African goalkeeper has expressed astonishment at Ronwen Williams' double triumph at the 2024 CAF Awards, questioning the decision to hand him both accolades.
South Africa's shot-stopper has been a key figure for both club and country over the past year, earning him the titles of Goalkeeper of the Year and Men's Interclub Player of the Year.
Read: Former PSL star 'lined up for coaching role' in Zim
However, not everyone agrees with the verdict. Former Egypt national team goalkeeper coach Ahmed Nagy voiced his surprise, describing the decisions as "strange" during a television appearance.
"The African Union's choices are somewhat strange. It is not logical for a goalkeeper to get both the best player and best goalkeeper awards," he remarked per MSN.
Williams's contributions cannot be understated. His stellar performances in Ivory Coast were instrumental in South Africa's podium finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Beyond his heroics for Bafana Bafana, Williams has also been a standout for Mamelodi Sundowns, playing a pivotal role in helping them win back-to-back league titles since his arrival in 2022.
He also achieved the historic feat of being shortlisted for an award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony earlier this year, becoming the first player representing an African club to do so.
Despite these accolades, Nagy was quick to point out alternatives.
"We have no doubt that Williams is one of the best goalkeepers on the continent, but he did not have a good season," he said.
"There are goalkeepers who had an even better season, such as Mostafa Shobeir, who was removed from the main list."
Nagy's criticism extended to the decision to award Williams Men's Interclub Player of the Year, calling it "a huge transgression and unfair to other players such as Hussein El Shahat or Zizo [Ahmed Sayed]".
"Giving the two awards to Williams is a kind of unfair black comedy and a flagrant transgression," he added.
Read: DRAMA: African-born striker accused of age cheating