Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams is confident that the team’s goalkeeping department is in safe hands, expressing pride in the efforts everyone has made last season.
Williams is set to continue as Bafana’s No 1 against Mexico on June 11, Czech Republic on June 18, and South Korea on June 25, at the upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America. He will be deputised by Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss. Coach Hugo Broos confirmed his trust in the trio after omitting Brandon Petersen from his 32-member preliminary squad.
Broos stated that Petersen’s omission was primarily due to his late integration into the team, rather than a reflection of his quality, as he has spent more time with Williams, Chaine, and Goss over the last few years.
The trio has earned their selection for Bafana through outstanding club form. Williams recently led Mamelodi Sundowns to a historic second CAF Champions League crown; Chaine kept an unprecedented 21 clean sheets en route to Orlando Pirates’ Betway Premiership triumph; and Goss’ 14 clean sheets in the league helped new kids on the block Siwelele avoid relegation.
“It’s amazing,” Williams said, praising Bafana’s goalkeeping unit during an exclusive interview with Independent Media.
“There has been a cry about the lack of goalkeepers. But I always believed that we have a lot of talented goalkeepers; they just needed to grab their opportunities – that’s what they’ve done this season. I am proud of them.
“They must just continue working hard. The hard work never stops. You are only as good as your last game.
“Goalkeeping is a difficult position; you make a mistake and suddenly you are not good enough. The next game you keep a clean sheet, and you are the best again. Over the years, a lot of our goalkeepers have gone through certain levels.”
