Ronwen Williams to lead Bafana Bafana for years. Image: X
‘I don’t want to be your friend’ – Khune told Ronwen Williams
Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams says Itumeleng Khune pushed him early on in his career to strive for greatness and compete with him.
Ronwen Williams to lead Bafana Bafana for years. Image: X
Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has credited Itumeleng Khune for giving him the backing when he started his career at SuperSport United.
The 32-year-old is currently in Ivory Coast where he helped Bafana reach the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 24 years.
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Williams saved four spot kicks during Bafana’s quarter-final match with Cape Verde.
Last year, the Mamelodi Sundowns keeper gave credit to Khune, saying the ex-Bafana captain was someone he was learning from.
Ronwen Williams give Itumeleng Khune credit for his success
When I started playing for SuperSport United, he actually gave me a call. [He] said ‘Soon you will be in the national team and when you come here I don’t want to be your friend.’ We must come and compete,” Williams said as quoted by Far Post.
“I have had that mentality ever since. So, learning from someone like Itu [Khune] at that age I needed that. We are not here to be friendly, we are here to compete.”
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Since making his debut for Matsatsantsa over a decade ago, Williams has been one of the country’s top keepers alongside Khune.
The Gqeberha-born shotstopper has not always had it easy in the national colours having conceded five goals against Brazil in his debut match back in 2014.
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Since then, Williams has grown and has without a doubt become one of SA’s best keepers alongside Khune, Hans Vonk, and Andre Arendse.
“All of us want to play and that’s the mentality I took from him. Having someone as experienced as Itu(Khune) and what he has achieved in his career giving me the backing is amazing.
“As I said, we have had an amazing relationship so I am just proud of what I have achieved,” Ronwen Williams added.
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