Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has credited Itumeleng Khune for giving him the backing when he started his career at SuperSport United.
The 32-year-old is currently in Ivory Coast where he helped Bafana reach the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 24 years.
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Williams saved four spot kicks during Bafana’s quarter-final match with Cape Verde.
Last year, the Mamelodi Sundowns keeper gave credit to Khune, saying the ex-Bafana captain was someone he was learning from.
Ronwen Williams give Itumeleng Khune credit for his success
When I started playing for SuperSport United, he actually gave me a call. [He] said ‘Soon you will be in the national team and when you come here I don’t want to be your friend.’ We must come and compete,” Williams said as quoted by Far Post.
“I have had that mentality ever since. So, learning from someone like Itu [Khune] at that age I needed that. We are not here to be friendly, we are here to compete.”
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Since making his debut for Matsatsantsa over a decade ago, Williams has been one of the country’s top keepers alongside Khune.
The Gqeberha-born shotstopper has not always had it easy in the national colours having conceded five goals against Brazil in his debut match back in 2014.
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Since then, Williams has grown and has without a doubt become one of SA’s best keepers alongside Khune, Hans Vonk, and Andre Arendse.
“All of us want to play and that’s the mentality I took from him. Having someone as experienced as Itu(Khune) and what he has achieved in his career giving me the backing is amazing.
“As I said, we have had an amazing relationship so I am just proud of what I have achieved,” Ronwen Williams added.
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