During im 12 months of domestic and international football, South Africa captain Ronwen Williams win awards regularly – but im latest nomination leave am “numb” wit disbelief.

Di Mamelodi Sundowns stopper dey shortlisted for di Yashin Trophy, wey dey recognise di world best goalkeepers as part of di annual Ballon d’Or ceremony.

“I no fit recall afta I drop di phone. I get sweet feeling in my stomach. I literally go numb,” e tell BBC Sport Africa, struggling to describe im feelings.

“Wen I see di Ballon d’Or page, I no fit believe am. I no know if I dey excited, happy or crying, e be like dream.

“I get so many feelings and I try not to tink about am becos e get me emotional,” Williams tok.

Di 32-year-old na di first African-based player wey dem go nominate for di trophy named afta former Soviet Union legend Lev Yashin.

Since South Africa men team dey underachieving on di international stage ova di past two decades, Williams hope im recognition go provide motivation for im kontri pipo.

“I don achieve so much in my career but I no tink dis go eva dey replaceable,” e tok.

“E go open doors for South Africans to start to tink and dream bigger. We get di talent and ability but we dey pull oursefs down.

“I feel like I don already win even if I no make di top three.”

Williams place on di shortlist dey come afta Bafana Bafana place third at di 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) for Ivory Coast.

Former national team captain Lucas Radebe, wey don spend ten years playing in di English Premier League for Leeds United, believe say di landmark fit change di mindset of South African footballers.

“E show di talent we get in di kontri,” Radebe tell BBC Sport Africa.

“Ronwen go be example. I wan hear pipo say ‘I wan be like Ronwen Williams’, no be like [Lionel] Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

“As football community, we need to celebrate dat and appreciate our own pipo.”

Williams get anoda month to wait to find out weda e go take home di trophy on 28 October for Paris.

If e win, e go become di first African to win di Yashin Trophy since dem first present di award for 2019.

However, e dey compete against di likes of Emiliano Martinez of Argentina and Unai Simon of Spain, wey both help dia kontris for continental titles dis year.