The 32-year-old was speaking following his CAF interclub Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year awards in Morrocco.

Williams said the support structure around him kept him going.

"The importance that they played in my career, in my life, there were times where I had no motivation when I had no will to wake up. I had nothing to fight for everything but they saw something deep inside of me,” Williams said.

“You know, they all made mention of the ability and the talent that I've got and I'm selling myself short so thankful for all of them for pushing me through all these years. It was difficult but they managed to push me when I didn't want to and I just wanna on this stage thank them personally for the work that they've done with me."

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The Gqeberha-born short stopper made his national team debut in 2015 when Bafana were thrashed 5-0 by Brazil and his reputation took a knock.

But he shared how he bounced back throughout his journey.

"Just persevere, when things are not looking for you, continue believing, continue going, wake up the next day and try and be better. Each and every day try and be better and that's the mentality that I've adopted over the last few years that I can have success today but tomorrow when I wake up I want even more, I want even better,” he added.

“Just to persevere when things get tough when people doubt you, when there's a lot of doubt, self-doubt as well just continue persevering because things will eventually turn out if you respect the game. If you live well, if you are dedicated and the game will always bless you."

Williams also dedicated the award to his community in the Eastern Cape.

"You know the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth in general, you know they've been supporting me throughout my career because they know where I've come from and how difficult it was for me to fight, to push through, to push boundaries, to leave at such a young age and they've supported me throughout my career, throughout my life, so this is for Port Elizabeth as well."

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