Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams enjoyed a remarkable 2024, but narrowly missed out on a spot in the final nominations for the prestigious FIFA Men's Goalkeeper Award.
Read: Former Sundowns Winger Surfaces At Pirates
The 32-year-old was initially named among the preliminary candidates, a reflection of his standout performances for both club and country.
Williams' exceptional form, particularly in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), played a pivotal role in securing South Africa's bronze medal in Ivory Coast.
Under the guidance of coach Hugo Broos, Williams was instrumental in the team's defensive solidity, delivering crucial saves throughout the tournament. His leadership on the field further highlighted his importance to both Sundowns and Bafana Bafana.
However, despite his stellar year, in which he ranked ninth overall for the Yachine award, Williams was not included in the final list of nominees for the FIFA award.
The final contenders included top international goalkeepers such as Andriy Lunin, Emiliano Martinez, David Raya, Unai Simon, Ederson, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Mike Maignan.
Notably, Williams is included for fans to vote for a goalkeeper in the Fifa Best XI team selection prize.
Read: Chiefs Coach: They Will Make Some Mistakes
Although Williams' exclusion from the final goalkeeper shortlist may be seen as a disappointment, his performances over the last two years solidified his reputation as one of Africa's finest goalkeepers.
