Ronwen Williams reveals turning point in journey to 50 Bafana Bafana caps

The Mamelodi Sundowns shot stopper was handed his first start for the national team by then coach Gordon Igesund at FNB Stadium, which turned out to be a baptism of fire as the Samba Boys put five past the young keeper.

Now closing in on half a century games years later, Williams said the criticism that night only made him stronger.

"The most important game for me was the first game which was against Brazil, even though we lost 5-0, I still have so many memories and that game that taught me so much. It's probably the reason why I am where I am today because I had to persevere, I was called many names and it made me stronger at such a young age,” Williams said.

“I think I was 22 years old and there were so many doubts for many, many years and that game just turned me into a man and that was probably the most important game that I've played for Bafana."

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During the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year, Williams produced the form that got him a Ballon d’Or nomination.

He also made the shortlist for the CAF awards next month, believing these are the results of his hard work paying off.

"Definitely, I mean it took years and years of sacrifice and the main thing is just perseverance, not giving up like I said, my international career didn't start in the best note,” the goalkeeper added.

“For long I had to fight that and overcome it and it was difficult, some moments it was difficult, some moments you just tried and played it off but it just couldn't leave me. People kept bringing that up and it just stuck with me for such a long time that I had to have a wonderful AFCON at the highest level for people maybe to finally let it go, even though it happened 10 years ago, people still brought it up.

“So, for me, it was just about controlling what I could control was my experiences that I've gained over the last few years, my performance, the way I see the game and just to put Bafana where it rightfully deserves to be.

“I think over the last few years, it's been good for us and we just need to continue doing that, continue fighting and when things are tough just persevere because eventually things will turn out for you if you remain professional, if you continue doing the right things and that's what I live by, doing the right things all the time and just being professional."