CAF Goalkeeper of the Year Ronwen Williams is dreaming big—and he’s not alone. As Mamelodi Sundowns prepare to step onto the world stage once again, the South African says the FIFA Club World Cup is more than just a tournament; it’s a chance to make history.
The Brazilians are among four African teams set to compete in the newly expanded tournament in the United States. This marks their second appearance at the global showpiece, with their debut in 2016, which ended in back-to-back defeats. This time, however, there’s a quiet confidence brewing within the squad.
“We’re not the same team we were back then,” says Williams. “We’ve grown. We’ve got more experience, more belief, and we’re ready to show the world what South African football is about.”
Key veterans like Thapelo Morena, Denis Onyango, and captain Themba Zwane—who were all part of the 2016 squad—return to provide much-needed leadership. But the spotlight will be on Williams, who was named Best Goalkeeper at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Grouped with powerhouses Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan Hyundai, and Fluminense, Masandawana know they face an uphill climb—but Williams is undeterred.
“We’ve studied them. We know what they’re about. But we’re Mamelodi Sundowns. We have our own style, our own class,” he affirms. “We won’t change who we are just because of the badge on the opposition’s shirt.”
For Williams, just being part of the tournament is a childhood dream come to life. “I get chills,” he says, reflecting on what it means to represent not just his club, but an entire continent. “As a kid, we never really had African players in these kinds of global tournaments to look up to. But now, we’re changing that.”
He anticipates a carnival-like atmosphere in the U.S., where football’s popularity is on the rise. “It’s going to be a beautiful mix of cultures. We’ll bring our South African flair—our singing, our dancing—and hopefully leave a mark.”
Williams holds immense respect for his counterparts across the globe, especially Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois. “He’s a wall. He’s taken goalkeeping to another level,” Williams says with admiration.
But while he looks up to others, Williams is focused on leading from the front—or rather, from the back. A natural leader with a quiet demeanor off the pitch, he turns into a vocal general on matchday.
“People who know me off the field wouldn’t recognize me on it. I’m shouting, I’m directing—it’s the passion, it takes over.”
Football with purpose
More than just winning matches, Williams sees football as a force for unity and hope—especially in Africa.
“For 90 minutes, the problems of society pause,” he says. “We have the power to make people smile, to give them belief. That’s our duty.”
He’s also vocal about football’s role in combating racism. “Fines aren’t enough. We need real action. Fans need to speak up too. They outnumber us players by billions—they have the power.”
Williams believes the battle against racism must start at home. “Parents must teach their children from a young age that everyone is equal. That’s how change begins.”
Sundowns didn’t get here by chance. “We had to beat some of the best in Africa to qualify,” says Williams. “Now, we represent a whole continent. We feel that responsibility, and we embrace it.”
Despite the challenge, he believes in the team’s depth, quality, and collective spirit. “Once we settle into the game, we become unstoppable. That’s the confidence we have.”
His message is clear: Mamelodi Sundowns aren’t just participants—they’re contenders.
“We’re not just here to make up the numbers,” Williams concludes. “We’re here to compete, to inspire, and to show the world that Africa belongs on the biggest stage.”