Williams: For Many Years I Didn’t Want To A…

Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has lifted the lid on what makes him to be so confident playing out from the back and the ability of being a sweeper-keeper.

Williams’ ability to be confident on the ball and play out from the back, is almost seen as an extra player at the back by Sundowns coaches, from a tactical point of view.

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The 34-year-old has become one of the key players for The Brazilians even without the ball, as he can also advance in high areas and play a sweeper, allowing Masandawana to have more numbers in other areas of the pitch.

Speaking on the Pitchside with Tabu Peter YouTube Channel, the Bafana Bafana shot-stopper has revealed that starting out as a striker as a young boy has played to his advantage when it comes to using his feet and having a football mind.

“Initially I started as a striker for my local team Shatterprufe Rovers, my uncle was a goalkeeper and my coach, he’s the reason why I fell in love with goalkeeping, that’s when the journey started when I seven, eight years old, playing for my local team,” Williams said.

“It’s something I’ve always been blessed with, maybe it comes from the fact that I was an in-field player, so I understand the position. I think for many years I didn’t want to accept that I’m a goalkeeper and I must just stay inside of the goals.

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“I always ventured forward, even when my team was losing, I would take the ball and dribble, so I always had that in my mind to be that sweeper-keeper. So from a young age I had that ability and obviously as years went by coaches picked it up and started using it to our advantage, so we can play a higher line because we have a goalkeeper who is a sweeper-keeper, it is just something I’m blessed with,” Williams added.

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