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Williams: I'm still learning

Cape Town - Ronwen Williams admits he still has plenty to learn about his trade and hopes Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba can be the man to teach him.

Read: Lakay ready to star for Bafana

The 22-year-old could arguably already be considered a veteran in the Premier Soccer League, where he is currently enjoying a fourth season with Matsatsantsa, having come up through the club's youth ranks before turning professional in 2010.

However, the shot stopper remains a fledgling on the international stage, and endured a disastrous debut in March when he stood between the sticks for a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Brazil.

Despite this Williams was called up to the South Africa squad for their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan and Nigeria last month, only to be forced out through injury, while he was then overlooked for a place in the 26-man team for the upcoming double header against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"I’m keen to learn. Maybe the coach (Mashaba) thinks because I have played in the PSL for five years, I don't need to," said Williams, who has Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune and Orlando Piartes ace Senzo Meyiwa ahead of him in the Bafana pecking order, told The Sowetan.

"I am only 22 years and as far as goalkeeping is concerned, I am still a toddler."

Looking back over his capitulation against the Samba Kings earlier this year, Williams said: "The moment that game ended I had to forget about it, otherwise it was going to have a negative impact on my performance.

"I spoke to a lot of guys like Rowen Fernandez who helped me get over it, and in my second cap I got a clean sheet."

Bafana are due to play Congo in back-to-back games in the AFCON qualifying rounds.

The 2015 tournament will held in Morocco between January 17 and February 7.

Bafana Bafana fixtures:

Saturday, October 11, Congo v SA (Pointe Noire) at 16:30

Wednesday, October 15, SA vs Congo (Peter Mokaba Stadium) at 20:05

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