NO LEG TO STAND UP Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana keeper Ronwen Williams may never play club football in Europe according to Ernst Middendorp. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
That Ronwen Williams is one of the best goalkeepers in football is in no doubt, but that still doesn’t mean he will likely be snapped up by a club in Europe anytime soon, or ever.
That’s at least according to the vastly experienced Cape Town Spurs coach Ernst Middendorp.
What’s worse though, is that the Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana gloveman can’t do anything about it.
Middendorp says that Williams, who is 1.84m in height, is simply not tall enough to be considered for a move to Europe.
“If you take for example Ronwen, outstanding here but no chance to be and appear in a league in Europe. Just because his body frame is too short,” Middendorp said on SoccerBeat YouTube channel.
“They are not going for a goalkeeper, I would say less than 1.9 metres, that's the standard.
“Nobody would open the door for you if you're less in terms of your centimetres of your height. Scouting in this moment is data-driven all over the world particularly in Europe.”
Now aged 33, Williams spent 12 years with SuperSport United before a move to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2022 where he has remained since.
In December, Williams won Goalkeeper of the Year and Interclub Player of the Year at the Caf Awards.
In November, Williams was one of the nominees for the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper in the world at the Ballon d’Or awards in Paris.
Williams was the first South African footballer to be nominated at the Ballon d’Or awards.
Williams was the star for Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations last year, with his best performance coming in the quarter-final against Cape Verde. As the game moved to a penalty shootout, the Bafana skipper saved four penalties to lead his side to the semi-finals and ultimately the bronze medal.