Ronwen Williams could be set to leave SuperSport for Pirates. Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)

Ronwen Williams could soon be on the move from SuperSport. Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)

CONFIRMED: Ronwen Williams ‘likely’ to leave SuperSport

The expected departure of Bafana keeper Ronwen Williams from SuperSport United is likely to materialise in the near future.

Ronwen Williams could be set to leave SuperSport for Pirates. Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)

Ronwen Williams could soon be on the move from SuperSport. Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)

Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams is said to be of considerable interest to top PSL teams, and the star keeper has repeatedly indicated that he does have a desire to move to a title-contending club.

The 30-year-old has enjoyed an illustrious career at SuperSport, where he has amassed over 250 appearances at a club where he has been based for over a decade.

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Recently, ever-growing online source Unplayable suggested that it could exclusively reveal that “Ronwen Williams is on the verge of joining Sundowns”.

Although SuperSport have just re-appointed coach Gavin Hunt, it’s unlikely this will change the thinking of Williams. As it is, SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews has confirmed they would likely have to prepare for a farewell to Williams.

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“It’s never a just a straightforward situation, there are negotiations, there are discussions, now that I’ve got a coach maybe there’s players [he wants] there’s nothing that’s been advanced to any level that I can concretise right now.

“But certainly once I’ve sat down with Gavin over the weekend – look at different permutations about how I can freshen up the team, what kind of replacements we can get in which positions and what that’s going to take – then I will have a clearer picture of how viable the sale of Ronwen will be.

“It’s likely that he’s going to move but as I say, it’s something I have to sit down and discuss with Gavin if I can’t get the right kind of replacement… Gavin is very strong on the spine of the team and that starts with the keeper.”

“Ronwen is the national team goalkeeper, he’s our captain, our poster child, he’s our longest-serving player, probably one of the longest-serving players in the history of South African football, so it’s not a normal trading of a player, this is a son of the club and someone that’s going to be impossible to replace in the short-term.”

According to SABC Sport, a recent article states that Sundowns are ready to welcome Williams if discussions and a deal can be successfully completed. It has been described as “85% done”, although there is nothing official just yet.

Williams has previously made his position clear

Williams has reiterated that he is open to staying at Matsatsantsa should they meet his ambitions, but he has also hinted that there would be an appealing element to joining a club that could compete for the DStv Premiership title.

“Yes, there have been talks and we will see what’s going to happen now. There has been some interest, so it will all depend on the club if they are willing to let me go,” Williams told the media recently, as reported by Sowetan Live.

“I told them what my ambitions are and it is for them to decide. If SuperSport wants me to stay, I will gladly stay.

“But if they are willing to let me go, maybe that’s the time now, but as I said, I’m happy at SuperSport, but they know what my ambitions are and we will see in the next few weeks what will happen.”

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In another interview with SABC Sport, Williams has further revealed why a move to a team such as Sundowns would of course hold great appeal.

“Definitely, who wouldn’t want to play for the [treble] champions? I mean, they are at the pinnacle of South African football at the moment, and for the last few years,” Williams told SABC Sport.

“And it will only benefit me playing Champions League or Confederation Cup because, like you said, I’m part of the national team and that will only boost and help me.

“So, any offer that comes, if the offer is good and the club is happy then we shake hands and we move on.

“But, like I said, I think I’m at a time now when I need to challenge for things. I think I’ve done fairly well over the last few years, so we’ll see what happens in the next few weeks.”