Ronwen Williams brings comfort and confidence at Bafana Bafana – Grant Johnson

Bafana will play Congo in Gqeberha and Brazzaville in the next two weeks as the AFCON 2025 qualification campaign takes shape.

Williams was missed in the previous camp as he was recovering from an injury, and this presented Bafana with all sorts of challenges in the first two games against Uganda and South Sudan.

Johnson says the skipper’s return puts them at ease.

"So, I think Ronwen is a key factor in the team, he's been there from the beginning from three years ago and he creates a comfort around the team in terms of confidence. He's obviously had a fantastic AFCON, got Goalkeeper of the Tournament. He's now been named as part of the Ballon d'Or Awards,” Johnson said.

“So, he's had a fantastic couple of years and I think the other keepers have had their opportunities, they've done really well but Ronwen we all know is the number one and he's made that jersey his own.

“I want the other goalkeepers to compete with him, to put him under pressure to play because it makes him a better goalkeeper as well."

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In the previous camp, head coach Hugo Broos had Veli Mothwa, Ricardo Goss, and new call-up Sipho Chaine as the three goalkeepers.

Mothwa’s howler against Uganda brought a lot of spotlight to this department. Johnson also longs for the day when there will be competition for Williams.

"But in general, I think having him back as the captain of the team is important for the team and I think even the way he plays at the back, playing Sundowns they play from the back, the same back four and even when new players come in, they have the confidence to play. His distribution is probably one of the best in the world and I think that's a key component for the team," he added.