AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Nwabali and Bafana Bafana’s Williams vie for tournament’s best shot-stopper

Olúwagbemiga Odunukan Sports 04/02/2024

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has seen flashes of brilliance from the men between the sticks. Big names in Morocco’s Yassine Bounou, Cameroon’s Andre Onana and even Edouard Mendy of the defending champions have already seen unconventional exits.

Mamelodi sundowns shot-stopper Ronwen Williams and his Chippa United counterpart Stanley Nwabali in action for their respective national teams.

Amongst the crop that have stood out and led their country from goal, two have been more than outstanding.

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Stanley Nwabali of the Nigerian national team and his compatriot in South African goal Ronwen Williams.

The former came into the tournament as backup to Francis Uzoho and has now made the spot his.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and African player of the year celebrate the victory over the Angolan national team at full time (Source Total Energies Afcon)

Despite almost picking up a tournament-ending injury versus Cameroon, the shot-stopper came back to help Nigeria secure a victory against Angola in the quarter-final.

The veteran Ronwen Williams marks his 11th year with the South African national team in the ongoing AFCON tournament.

His heroics in the quarter final tie against Cape Verde sent the Bafana Bafana to the semis saving four penalties in the much heated shootout.

South Africa goalkeeper and captain for the night Ronwen Williams (via Total Energies Afcon)

The 32 year old became the first goalkeeper to save a penalty in any shoot-out affair across the month-long tourney.

Wednesday night will see both goalkeepers battle it out for the tournament’s golden gloves with both boasting 4 clean sheets apiece.

However, Nwabali has conceded one less than his South African counterpart. The only goal going past him being Iban Salvador’s opener for Equatorial Guinea in their first fixture.

Williams on the other hand conceded twice in the 2-0 group stage defeat to Mali and followed up with four straight shutouts.

In terms of total saves, Williams takes the lead making 12 across the campaign as opposed to Nwabali’s 10 thus far.

Worthy to note that both shot-stoppers ply their trade in the South Africa football league. Nwabali with Chippa United and Ronwen Williams with Mamelodi sundowns.

With at least two more games left for each player with their assured semi-final places, their is still a chance to extend an advantage over the other come the conclusion of the tournament.