Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams recently opened up about the team’s performance since their impressive showing at the AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast, where they secured a commendable third-place finish.
Despite this success, the team has struggled to maintain that momentum in subsequent matches, prompting a period of reflection among the players.
Mixed Results Post-Tournament
Following the AFCON, South Africa has faced a mix of challenges in both the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
They managed to secure only two wins and four draws, while unfortunately conceding a total of ten goals in just six games.
It’s clear that the squad needed to address these issues head-on.
Focus on the Upcoming Match
As they prepare for their upcoming match against Congo in Group K at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday evening, Williams emphasizes the importance of shifting their focus.
He recently returned to the squad after dealing with a shoulder injury and is keen to move past the recent slump.
A Change in Mentality
“We had to have a debrief as players,” Williams shared.
“As the coach mentioned, we needed to return to the basics and keep doing what worked for us before. Now it’s time to put AFCON behind us.”
He noted that conceding ten goals in six games is uncharacteristic for the team, which is why their priority must be qualifying for both the AFCON 2025 and the World Cup.
Rebuilding Team Spirit
Williams remarked on the positive shift in team mentality during training this week.
“The spirit is back, and you can really feel the brotherhood, joy, and happiness among the players. The new guys are settling in well, and we’re all looking forward to the game tomorrow.”
He also encouraged fans from the Eastern Cape to come out and show their support for the team.
Addressing Camp Issues
In addition to focusing on their upcoming match, Williams addressed some disciplinary challenges that arose within the camp.
These issues came to light when Stellenbosch midfielder Jayden Adams was withdrawn from the squad.
“As the coach mentioned, we were not pleased with how the camp started. There was a lot of instability and changes happening, which is not typical for us,” he explained.
He concluded, “We take pride in our professionalism and commitment to doing the right things, as that has been the foundation of our success in recent years.”
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