Ronwen Williams eyes overseas dream: Club World Cup as his global audition
- Martin T
- Jun 10
- 3 min read
At 33, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams is not just aiming to lead his team past the group stage at the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA; he's hoping to catch the attention of the world's biggest football leagues, believing his late bloom makes an overseas move still possible.
Williams has already garnered significant international acclaim despite never having played outside South Africa's Betway Premiership. His stellar performance at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire saw him finish an impressive ninth in the voting for last year's prestigious Yashin Trophy, cementing his status as one of the continent's top goalkeepers.
While many might consider 33 past a prime age for a European transfer, Williams is resolute. He credits an improved focus on professionalism for his current peak form and firmly believes he can maintain his elite level until he's 40.
"I've had a chat with my manager, Rob Moore, and I've asked him the question: 'What do you think?'" Williams revealed to ESPN. "He was like: 'Ronwen; you should never close the door.'"
Moore’s encouragement stems from Williams' recent performances. "Yes; you want to achieve great things at Sundowns and they're giving you a wonderful platform to play at the highest level - play against the best of the best - but with what you've done over the last few years, I think it is possible [to play overseas]," his manager suggested.
Williams himself feels better than ever. "I'm 33 now and people say: 'You're old,' but this is the best I've felt in a long time," he affirmed. "I don't get nervous; I'm so calm. I'm just in a good space on the field. I don't have any nerves... I'm just present, and I think that's all down to the experiences that I've picked up."
He remains confident in his ability to compete globally. "Even when we play against the bigger opponents - the bigger teams - there's no sense of anxiety; there's no sense of nerves. I just go out there and do my best. I've played against the best of the best and I think I've got the ability to play there, but it's going to be difficult."
Acknowledging the hurdles, Williams noted, "People will obviously look at [my] age. They'll look at Sundowns and if they're willing to let me go, but if everyone is happy, why not give it a shot? Like I said, I've looked after myself and my body, and I think my body could carry me another seven years easily."
Williams' desire to play abroad isn't new. In 2008, during his time at SuperSport United's academy, he participated in a youth tournament involving Tottenham and Manchester United. While his teammate Bongani Khumalo later joined Spurs, Williams wasn't picked up, admitting he "first wanted to make a name for myself in the PSL and obviously, for the national team." He also had an assessment with Hannover 96 in Germany in 2014 but confessed he wasn't "mentally prepared [or] physically prepared" then.
But since becoming Bafana Bafana's first-choice goalkeeper in 2019 and joining Sundowns in 2022, Williams has showcased remarkable consistency, playing over 100 games for the Brazilians and accumulating numerous accolades.
The upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the USA presents the perfect stage for Williams to showcase his talent to a global audience. Sundowns are drawn in Group F alongside formidable opponents Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense, and Ulsan.
"Our first objective is to get out of the group," Williams stated. "Once you're out of the group, then you've done history... From there, hopefully, you take it step-by-step every day."
Beyond his personal ambitions, Williams hopes the tournament will also open doors for his teammates, identifying five in particular who he believes are ready for Europe's top leagues. "I don't want to sell Mamelodi Sundowns short, but hopefully, some of the guys can go to the bigger leagues," he said.
He specifically named Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Marcelo Allende, and Aubrey Modiba. "I think they can walk into any side in the top three leagues in the world," he asserted, noting their strong performances in the CAF Champions League and with Bafana Bafana.
