With the Yachine Trophy selection process in full swing, South Africans have taken to social media to show their support for Ronwen Williams, the current captain of the national football team and goalkeeper for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Story Summary:
- South Africans have rallied behind national team goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, flooding online polls to secure his win for the prestigious Yachine Trophy.
- Williams, regarded as one of the top contenders, is competing for the award given to the world’s best goalkeeper.
- The ceremony will take place on 28 October 2024.
Ronwen Williams leads poll to win Yachine Trophy
Fans are encouraging each other to cast votes online, with many using the hashtag #VoteRonwen to amplify their efforts.
One passionate supporter tweeted, “Africa this one is for us. Ronwen Williams will be the best goalkeeper in the world!” urging others to vote for the Bafana Bafana star.
Even Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has joined the campaign, stating:
“Let us all please vote for Ronwen Williams. We already know that he is the best goalkeeper in the world, let’s make the world know what we know”.
Williams is competing against top international goalkeepers for the trophy, the likes of Argentina and Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinéz and Liverpool and Brazilian Alisson Becker, which has grown in prestige since its introduction in 2019.
How the Yachine Trophy winner is selected
The Yachine Trophy is awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper and is named in honour of Lev Yashin, the legendary Soviet Union goalkeeper who remains the only goalkeeper to have ever won the Ballon d’Or.
Since its creation in 2019, the Yachine Trophy winner has been selected by a panel of former Ballon d’Or winners.
The judging period for the 2024 Yachine Trophy covers performances between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024.
Williams has impressed fans and pundits alike with his exceptional performances during Bafana Bafana’s historic AFCON 2024 run, which has earned him a place among the nominees.
The nominees were announced on 4 September 2024, and voting is open until the day of the ceremony.
Williams’ supporters are hopeful that his stellar season will secure him the award, as votes pour in to help South Africa’s top goalkeeper earn global recognition.
When is the Ballon d’Or 2024?
The Ballon d’Or 2024 ceremony, which includes the announcement of the Yachine Trophy winner, is set to take place on 28 October 2024.
This highly anticipated event, held annually in Paris, celebrates the best footballers in the world and includes various categories such as the Ballon d’Or for men and women, the Kopa Trophy for young talents, and the Yachine Trophy for goalkeepers.