Can Ronwen Williams still play in Europe?

Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams’ heroic performances beg the inevitable question of whether he still has the chance to play in Europe. Experts such as Karabo Mathang-Tshabuse have commented on whether the Bafana Bafana’s number one can attract suitors overseas.

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Speaking to The South African, the players’ agent Mathang-Tshabuse said Ronwen Williams ticks all the boxes of what it takes to play in Europe. She, however, gave a measured response because the 32-year-old is not his client. The P Management owner said: I would rather not comment much. Talent like that deserves to be at the top flight of football, but I think I would step into other people’s domain.”

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WHAT TOP AGENT MATHANG-TSHABUSE SAID ON RONWEN WILLIAMS

In a separate interview, another agent differed in opinion with Mathang-Tshabuse. He told The South African that age was not on the Mamelodi Sundowns’ custodian’s side. He also cited another disadvantage on Ronwen William’s prospects of playing in Europe. He added: “No. Age and lack of physical stature.”

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ANOTHER AGENT DIFFERS WITH MATHANG-TSHABUSE ON RONWEN WILLIAMS

However, Mathang-Tshabuse insisted that Ronwen Williams has the quality and experience to play for teams in Europe. The lawyer-cum-agent said the demand for keepers grows with age. “Of course, he is a quality goalkeeper. Goalkeeping in football is a specialised position, which unlike other positions, as a player grows older that skill is harnessed and demanded more and more. I think he has a chance of going overseas,” she said.

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IS HEIGHT AND AGE AN ISSUE EVEN WITH GOALKEEPERS?

True to Mathang-Tshabuse’s observation, Ronwen Williams has improved with each passing year. He is actually among the chief reasons Bafana Bafana are still at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals. The PSL stalwart has been in inspiring form for South Africa. Williams has kept four clean sheets in five games at the Ivory Coast tournament.

The South African examined physical attributes of African keepers who have played in Europe. The statistics have been compared with those of Mzansi’s number one. For example, Williams’ height is 1.84m. Of late African keepers such as Edouard Mendy (Chelsea) and Manchester United’s Andre Onana have played in the Premier League. The 31-year-old Mendy, who now plays for Al Ahli Saudi, is big and tall standing at 1.94m whereas 27-year-old Onana’s height is 1.90m. Arguably, Andre Arsendse was the last South African keeper to play in England. The SuperSport United legend, whose height is 1.91m, signed for Fulham FC in 1997. Years ago another South African keeper Emile Barron had a successful career in Norway. He stands at 1.90m.

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HOW SUNDOWNS KEEPER HAS KEPT BAFANA BAFANA’S HOPES ALIVE

In his latest showings, the Sundowns keeper helped South Africa to qualify for the Afcon semifinals. Ronwen Williams pulled telling saves to deny Cape Verde on Saturday night. The quarterfinal game had ended goalless even after extra time. To spice up his displays, the ex-SuperSport United footballer saved four post-match penalties. In the end, the men for Hugo Broon won the match 2-1. The next challengers for the 1996 Afcon winners are Nigeria. The Super Eagles keeper Stanley Nwabali too boasts four clean sheets at the tournament. It means the two PSL keepers are in contention for the Golden Glove.