Kopo reveals how he persuaded Ronwen Williams to return to football

Kwanele Kopo has revealed how he persuaded Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams to resume his career after the death of his brother.

The respected South African coach said Williams was so affected by the loss that he initially decided to walk away from football.

Speaking to Mahlatse Mphahlele on the 127th episode of the Arena Sports Show on YouTube, Kopo explained that he learned of the tragedy while travelling with the team to the Bayhill Tournament in Cape Town.

“Ronwen quit football after his brother passed on,” Kopo said.

“We were on our way to the Bayhill Tournament in Cape Town and I received a call that his brother had passed away.

“We flew him to Gqeberha [Port Elizabeth] and gave him a month off, but he didn’t come back. I got on the phone and begged him to come back [and play].

“I told him you are destined to play for Bafana Bafana, and also spoke to his mother.”

Williams eventually returned to the game after Kopo appealed to him to continue playing in memory of his brother.

The former SuperSport United and Chippa United coach said he believed that message was central to changing the goalkeeper’s mind.

“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,” Kopo added.

Williams has since developed into a leading goalkeeper in South Africa and is now captain of both Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana.

Kopo said he took particular satisfaction from having helped Williams return to football, while also paying tribute to the players he has coached.

“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.”