Williams, Tau given leading Bafana roles for World Cup qualifiers

Hugo Broos has named Ronwen Williams as Bafana Bafana captain for the upcoming 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Ghana.

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Percy Tau, fresh from signing for Egyptian giants Al Ahly, will be vice-captain, as Bafana take on Zimbabwe in Harare on Friday and Ghana at FNB Stadium on September 6.

Williams, who is the SuperSport United skipper, has captained Bafana before, a friendly against Uganda earlier this year being the most recent example, but this is the first time he has been named as permanent Bafana captain.

“I think Ronwen has the personality, he has the experience, he can communicate,” said Broos in a press conference at Dobsonville Stadium.

“Percy (Tau) is a bit more quiet but he is experienced, he has played in several European teams and he has the respect of the whole group.”

Williams added that it was a “massive responsibility” to lead the side as they try to make it to Qatar 2022.

“Not only to lead the team, I am leading the whole country now!” he added.

“It is one (a responsibility) I am looking forward to, I will make sure I do my best to get the respect of the players, and the technical team. I am proud to be here. Most importantly, as a team, we want success. We are still disappointed not to be at the Afcon (South Africa failed to qualify for next year’s continental showpiece). It is still at the back of my mind. We want to be at the World Cup.”

Broos added that only Gift Links and Luther Singh, based in Denmark, were not in the camp yesterday, but both were expected to be at training today. Mamelodi Sundowns’ Mothobi Mvala is a serious injury doubt for the camp, and Kaizer Chiefs defender Njabulo Ngcobo has been called up as cover.

“Maybe we will go with 24 players to Zimbabwe, we will wait until the last moment,” added Broos.

Tau, meanwhile, has had quite a few weeks, going from pre-season with English Premier League side Brighton to signing for Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

This has actually made it easier for Bafana to call up Tau, with English clubs resolved not to release their players to so-called red-list countries during the coronavirus pandemic.

Zimbabwe could well be affected by this, with Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba set to miss the Warriors’ World Cup qualifiers against Bafana and Ethiopia.