Goalkeeper Jessica Williams delighted to be on Banyana Banyana’s radar again

Goalkeeper Jessica Williams has been snapped by the Hollywoodbets Super League newcomers University of Cape Town (UCT) and time in the top-flight football could re-open the way for future Banyana Banyana inclusion.

The 25-year-old Williams has had one Banyana appearance in 2019 against Jamaica but since then she has fallen out of favour. Last season she was capped for the COSAFA Cup side managed five clean sheets in a tournament and was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

A few weeks ago, Williams enjoyed a month's training stint at Bristol City Women’s FC, who campaign in the English second-tier FA Women’s Championship. Her stay was arranged by Badgers Ladies FC director and former SAFA Head of Women’s Football Romaney Pinnock, who has since taken up the same role at Bristol.

Before joining the Cape Town-based Badgers, Williams played for Cape Town Spurs and Vasco da Gama in Cape Town, as well as TUT Matsatsantsa Ladies in Pretoria.

However, on her return, Williams picked up an injury and is a doubtful starter for Sunday's Hollywoodbets Super League pipe-opener against UJ Ladies in Johannesburg.

The injury also forced her to withdraw from the current Banyana camp for two international friendly matches against Lesotho.

Before signing for UCT, she had offers from champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and the University of Johannesburg (UJ).

Williams said her ambition is to play for the French side Paris Saint-Germain one day. She added her biggest critics are her family, especially her little sister.

A feature of Williams' stint for COSAFA last year was that coach Maud Khumalo was impressed by Williams’ kicking ability and asked the goalkeeper to take the set-pieces.

While UCT celebrated Williams’ acquisition, their head coach Nasief Morris, the former Bafana Bafana defender, resigned. He had been appointed just over a month ago.

UCT have yet to announce who will take Morris' place.