Bafana Bafana might have to play Fifa World Cup qualifiers without Ronwen Williams

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos faces the possibility of being without captain and No 1 goalkeeper Ronwen Williams for this month's Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Bafana will take on Lesotho at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium next week Friday, before traveling to Ivory Coast four days later to face Benin. Winning both games is crucial for Bafana, as it would move them a step closer to qualifying for the finals in North America next year.

While clinical finishing will be key to securing victory, Broos would undoubtedly prefer to have his first-choice goalkeeper between the posts. However, Williams may disappoint the Belgian coach by failing to recover in time for camp, having been sidelined for Mamelodi Sundowns in recent weeks due to injury.

His fitness could have been assessed in Sundowns’ Nedbank Cup quarter-final clash against Sekhukhune United at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday. However, the match was postponed after the stadium was double-booked by Safa for an earlier Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier.

If Williams is unavailable, Broos will have to rely on all three back-up goalkeepers — Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, and Sage Stephens — for the two crucial games.

All three have been performing well for their respective clubs — Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, and Stellenbosch — but Chaine appears to have a slight advantage. The Pirates shot-stopper was instrumental in keeping his side’s Nedbank Cup title defense alive, saving two penalties in their quarter-final win over SuperSport on Saturday.

Chaine also featured in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifiers, conceding two goals in Bafana’s 3-2 victory over South Sudan in Williams’ absence. Though his debut wasn’t flawless, and discussions about South Africa’s goalkeeping depth continued, Chaine has since shown immense improvement.

At 28, he has grown in leaps and bounds, helping Pirates reach the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, where they will face MC Alger. A strong showing in Bafana colors could further change the narrative surrounding South Africa’s goalkeeping talent.

Broos is expected to announce his final 23-man squad for the qualifiers this week, and all eyes will be on whether Williams makes the cut.