Former SuperSport United assistant coach Kwanele Kopo has revealed how he convinced Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams not to end his football career after the death of his brother.
Speaking on the 127th episode of the Arena Sports Show with Mahlatse Mphahlele, Kopo said Williams was so affected by the loss that he considered walking away from the game.
Kopo also played an important role in reviving the career of Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates attacker Oswin Appollis, who lost his enthusiasm for football after being released by SuperSport United.
Williams’ brother died while the team was travelling to Cape Town for the Bayhill Tournament. Kopo said the goalkeeper was immediately flown to Gqeberha and given a month away from football, but did not return as expected.
“Ronwen Williams quit football after his brother passed away, and I had to do the same as I did with Appollis with him. We were flying to the Bayhill Tournament in Cape Town and I got a phone call that his brother passed away.
“We flew him immediately to Gqeberha and gave him a month off, but he didn’t come back. I phoned him, begged him to come back, and I told him you are destined to play for Bafana Bafana, and I also spoke to his mother,” Kopo said.
Kopo said he eventually appealed to Williams to continue playing as a way of honouring his brother.
“I think what convinced him to come back was when I told him he must come back to honour his brother because he would never have wanted to see him stop playing football.”
Williams has since become South Africa’s first-choice goalkeeper and captain. Kopo described him as “South Africa’s, and probably Africa’s, number one goalkeeper” and said he was grateful to have worked with both Williams and Appollis.
“He is South Africa’s, and probably Africa’s, number one goalkeeper. I am humbled to have had the opportunity to work with these players.
“It always excites me when I see them play for Bafana and their clubs and they are successful.”
