PSL players have weighed in on who is best between Khune and Williams Photo : Sia KAMBOU / AFP
Itumeleng Khune in the red corner, Ronwen Williams in the blue corner. No it’s not a boxing match, but present and former PSL players have weighed in on who is South Africa’s greatest goalie of all time (GOAT) between the two.
The two goalkeepers have both contributed immensely to South African football, with careers that are strikingly similar as they have both captained their respective clubs and the national team. They have also won several cups and leagues between them.
Khune has captained the Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs, while, Williams is currently the captain of Tshwane giants and reigning Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
They are also similar in that they are among the few goalkeepers in the modern PSL era to have won the coveted Player of the Season award. And in modern football, they are both superb shot-stoppers and can play with the ball at their feet.
However, Williams made history earlier this September after becoming the first South African and the first African goalkeeper playing on the continent to be nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or Yashin Trophy award.
His nomination for the award comes after his impressive performances for both club and country.
The Yashin Trophy award is given to the best-performing goalkeeper in world football in a calendar year.
Since Williams’ nomination, there has been a huge social media debate about who is best between him and Khune, and present and former PSL have also weighed in on the debate.
Speaking to Soccerbeat podcast on YouTube Cape Town Spurs midfielder Michael Morton, former Orlando Pirates Player Lebohang Mokoena and Cape Town City goalkeeper Darren Keet tipped Khune as the best currently.
Mokoena pointed out that the two goalkeepers are different generations, but added that he would pick Khune as being the best goalkeeper because he played with him.
“On a personal level, I have worked with Khune in the under 23s. A very special keeper, a very competitive keeper and can play and has good distribution.
“I think he has done well in his career, for Chiefs and for the national team, you know we used to call him Mzansi’s number 1 and I don’t think we called him that for no reason.
“With Ronwen, I have seen him improve at SuperSport he was more of a keeper that hit the long one and whatnot, but when he got Sundowns I started to see a different Williams that can still build and make great saves.
“If I can compare the two, I’ll say 50/50 but I’ll go with Itu because I have played him and I know what kind of keeper he is,” Mokoena
Morton said Khune holds the crown at the moment, but added that Williams was mounting a serious challenge.
“If you have to ask me the question right now I still say Khune is number one for just in terms of his career.
“But the one thing that I know is Ronwen is still only 32, he looks himself really well, he has already played 40 more games in the PSL than Khune which is crazy and the way Ronwen is going he could probably play another four five years.
“Another 100 games on top of that then it’s a whole different conversation, so if you have to ask me right now I say Khune is the one but I think Ronwen is really starting to mount that challenge and I think we this discussion in three years Ronwen might come out on top,” Morton said.
Cape Town City goalkeeper Darren Keet shared the same sentiments.
“I have to agree with all of you on Khune being one of the best or being the best in South Africa, he played, in his prime was second to none.
“We always judged him based on his performances, based on the matches he was able to win and then also obviously, there’s the distribution factor.“
Join the debate. Who is the goalie GOAT for you - Itumeleng Khune or Ronwen Williams?
@Nozulelasays
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