‘BIRDS’ ’KEEPER’S SPECIAL GIFT FOR ’DOWNS’ WILLIAMS

MBABANE - “When someone gives you a gift, even if it’s a small gesture, it is given with a part of their heart.”

These were the words of Mamelodi Sundowns Senior Coach, Steve Komphela, who showed his appreciation when he accepted a ligcebesha gift from Mbabane Swallows goalkeeper Bongiswa ‘Romario’ Dlamini. It was intended for the team’s goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) game, on Saturday night. ‘Bafana ba Style’ delivered a master class in the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League second preliminary round, utterly dominating Umkhonto KaShaka. The South African side was precise and efficient, emerging victorious, with a 4-0 win and an impressive 8-0 aggregate score.

Honour

“It is an absolute honour and pleasure to accept this wonderful gift, which I believe will hold great significance for Ronwen Williams, on his behalf and on behalf of the Mamelodi Sundowns team. This generous gesture is not only an acknowledgement of Ronwen’s hard work and dedication, but also a testament to the importance of kindness, empathy, and respect in sports, which we believe are essential values that should be promoted within the African football community,” he said. Historically, emaSwati have made jewellery and clothing items from beads. An example of this is a ligcebesha, which is a colourful necklace.

After presenting the gift to Komphela, the Swallows goalkeeper, expressed his admiration for Williams, stating that the latter’s success and skills had served as an inspiration and a motivator for his own career as a goalkeeper. “As a fellow goalkeeper, I have long admired Ronwen Williams for his skill, dedication, and accomplishments, from his time at SuperSport United. He has served as a role model for me, and his success has been a source of inspiration and motivation in my own career.Presenting this gift was a way for me to express my admiration and appreciation for Williams and his contributions to the African football community,” he said.

Appreciation

Meanwhile, following the celebrations by Mamelodi Sundowns players, the South African national team’s goalkeeper, joined the team in acknowledging and thanking Mbabane Swallows’ goalkeeper, for the gift. Williams, expressing his appreciation, promised to offer his personal match day kit and gloves to the former Manzini Wanderers goalkeeper, as a gesture of encouragement and motivation, recognising the importance of support in the football community, particularly among African goalkeepers.

It should be noted that the Sundowns and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper was early this month nominated as one of the 10 best goalkeepers in the world at the Ballon d’Or awards. Williams has been recommended alongside top footballers such as Argentine star Emiliano Martínez and Portuguese keeper Diogo Costa, among others. The reigning champions of the 202/2025 MTN Premier League, began their title defense,  with a 1-0 win against Ezulwini United at the King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. They will now face Manzini Sea Birds tomorrow at the Mayaluka Stadium.

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