When Ronwen Williams learned he was nominated among the world's best goalkeepers for Fifa's Ballon d'Or Yashin Trophy, he "went numb" and was speechless.
He was the only African nominated for Fifa's goalkeeper of the year award while playing for an African club.
It is the fourth African goalkeeper to be nominated for the awards, following Cameroonian Andre Onana, Senegalese Edouard Mendy, and Moroccan Yassine Bounou.
He was nominated after helping Bafana Bafana win the bronze medal at the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in February.
Bafana have reached their first semifinal in 24 years after Williams saved four penalties in a quarterfinal shoot-out win over Cape Verde.
At the Nations Cup, he kept five clean sheets in seven games, four of them consecutive, and conceded three goals.
With a record 72 points, he also led Sundowns to the semifinals of the 2023-2024 Caf Champions League.
There are no words to describe how I feel. I'm still in shock - it doesn't seem to have hit me yet," Williams said.
I'm proud, excited, and happy - not for myself, but for South Africa. I hope this will inspire the next generation, to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.
I'm so proud and happy that South Africans can achieve the unimaginable.
There are so many people I can thank, so many coaches, so many people throughout the journey. This did not start today, it began years ago. I also must thank my parents.
"A media officer" called Williams to inform him of the nomination.
When the media officer called me, I thought he was joking, but then he said he was serious.
When he congratulated me and wished me well, that's when it sunk in. When I dropped the call, I couldn't believe it.
It's been a roller-coaster of a career and a roller-coaster from where I've come from to where I am.
Hugo Broos has left Williams out of his squad for the 2025 Nations Cup qualifiers against Uganda at Orlando Stadium on Friday (6pm) and South Sudan in Juba on Tuesday because he is injured.
On September 17, Sundowns will kick off their 2024-2025 Betway Premiership campaign against SuperSport United at Loftus Versfeld.
Williams said he was excited about the Betway Premiership kicking off soon.
"We know it's gonna be tough, we know everyone is out to get us, but Mamelodi Sundowns knows what they have to do to win."
