Latest news with #Seoposenwe
CAF
3 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Seoposenwe calls it a day, leaves WAFCON legacy
Tears of relief can be a thing. For Jermaine Seoposenwe, the end of the penalty shootout against Ghana in the third-place playoff at the TotalEnergies WAFCON 2024 on Friday, was the end of her journey with the South African national women's football team. A 15-year journey in national team colours filled with pride, hard work and overall excellence is what will go down memory lane. So many told and untold stories along the way, teammates that became family, trips overseas and most importantly – the fulfilment of a childhood dream. Seoposenwe, who was born in Cape Town, was the first female to score a goal for South Africa at a World Cup in 2010 and has since grown into a crucial member for the Banyana Banyana. Cheeky off the field with her teammates, tough on the field of play against her opponents and sleek in her touch on the ball. Graceful after games regardless of the result. A treasure. Lasting legacy Every girl that loves and wants to play football dreams of representing her nation. For Seoposenwe, she realized this dream. In her glowing career with the Banyana Banyana, she scored the goal that took South Africa to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil which she also competed at, played at two FIFA Women's World Cups (2019 and 2023) as well as four WAFCON editions (2016, 2018, 2022 and 2025). And as South Africa's number 12 retires from international football after amassing 112 caps, she wraps up what has been an immense contribution to a golden generation of South African football. An inspiration to many a young girl and a downright trailblazer. Her former teammate and ex Banyana Banyana international Amanda Dlamini told CAFOnline that, 'She has had a very colourful and rewarding journey in the national team. When I met her, she was young, had raw talent and was very ambitious with a great fighting spirit. She's been able to maintain that over the years. Like many, she had her own challenges and experiences that I think shaped the amazing player and leader we have seen over the years stepping into the centenary club which is not easy. It means she's had to stand the test of time and show great consistency for the national team. She will be missed for her fearlessness on the park, her confidence and composure in the striking force.' Seoposenwe was part of the WAFCON 2022 winning squad that made history – finally breaking the jinx on the continent. The 28-year-old at the time netted twice in the tournament. Her first coming against perennial archrivals Nigeria in a 2-1 win in the opening Group C tie while her second goal was the all-important lone finish against Tunisia in the last eight to book a place in the semifinals. 'Obviously, I made that decision before the tournament and so coming into the tournament, I have been very settled, very calm. A lot of the players have joked with me about my legacy and all those things, but it's very interesting to be in that position. Obviously, in the past I wasn't that person but now I am and it's a responsibility that I've accepted. And I do appreciate it the way they see me and the leader that I've been for them. But for me, it's just been the sense of relief. I don't know if that's the word to use, but I also have a sense of calmness,' Seoposenwe explained in detail. Tributes from Desiree Ellis and Refiloe Jane From the coach and captain's corner, Seoposenwe can hold her head up high even though her last game in a Banyana Banyana jersey ensured that the defending champions finished fourth – missing the podium after a 3-4 loss to Ghana following a 1-1 draw after regular time. Both Ellis and Jane have alongside the entire players' squad and technical staff been supportive of Seoposenwe's decision before and during the competition in a holistic way. Whether it was in moments of joy or when the going got tough. Teamwork by all means. 'What a legacy she leaves behind! I have known Jermaine since the age of 15. She went to the 2010 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago, scored our first goal at the World Cup for a women's team. And in that same year, she played at the WAFCON in 2010 in South Africa. Two years later, she played at the London 2012 Olympics and then she played at the WAFCON 2012 in Equatorial Guinea. She was part of that squad that beat Nigeria in the semifinals where she got the silver medal at the age of 19! It says something about Jermaine,' Ellis explained in detail. 'Two successive World Cups, two successive Olympic Games, 2018 silver at the WAFCON, 2022 African champion, 2023 World Cup Round of 16 but there is so, so, so much to Jermaine. A fighter, a leader and someone who gave everything to take this team forward. I don't think we can thank her enough, but we honour her, and we carry her spirit with us. And to be honest, I don't think we have enough words to say thank you to Jermaine for everything that she's done. She's always stepped onto the field, gave her all on the field and that is who Jermaine is. Leaving everything out there, stepping up in 2022 when Thembi [Kgatlana] got injured after not being part of the team for a long while due to visa issues and that is who Jermaine is.' Jane, who has known Seoposenwe for over a decade and with whom the Banyana Banyana won the WAFCON 2022, spoke about her glorious career, 'Jermaine has been a very important figure in the team. From when she was still a teenager to now upon her retirement. She's contributed immensely on and off the field and she leaves an amazing legacy – one for upcoming players to look forward to and to carry on with that.' 'Obviously, we would have loved to give her a perfect sendoff, but we couldn't do it. I hope that she can be proud of the performance of the team throughout the tournament. We know that she still has a lot to offer to football. She might be done with the national team, but she is still going to continue playing football and so much is still to be learnt from her.' South Africa finished fourth at the TotalEnergies WAFCON 2024 in Morocco. What Next? Seoposenwe, who features for CF Monterrey in the Mexican topflight league, will continue featuring at club level. The 31-year-old has played at home in South Africa for the University of Western Cape as well as played in leagues in Lithuania, Spain, Portugal before heading to Mexico. Three continents and Seoposenwe continues shining. Dlamini who is also a member of the 100+ caps with South Africa and is currently working as a broadcaster said, 'I think she's established herself very well outside of being in the national team, so she still has plenty seasons to play at club level.' 'She has a degree and surely big plans for the future. But she should know that she will have to work hard for herself when there's no support of people doing things for her like the football environment does. Everything is done for you (laughs). She should learn to pivot at every juncture as she is yet to discover so much about herself. It's about building a network of people who will be able to hold you up outside of your family, that support structure will always and there but community is equally important in this space.' Seoposenwe holds a Marketing Degree from Samford University in Alabama.
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Banyana pay the penalty in Wafcon bronze medal match defeat to Ghana
Banyana Banyana lost 4-3 to Ghana on penalties during their Africa Women's Cup of Nations (Wafcon) third and fourth place playoff match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Friday. They could not be separated after 90 minutes of largely uninspiring action which ended 1-1 where they missed numerous good scoring opportunities. South Africa took the lead through Nonhlanhla Mthandi on the stroke of half-time but Ghana returned from the break with more determination and they equalised from the effort of Kusi Alice in the 67th minute. During the shoot-outs, Banyana scored from the efforts of Linda Mothlalo, Bambanani Mbane, Jermaine Seoposenwe while Sibulele Holweni and Hilda Magaia could not find the back of the net. Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini made one save to deny Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah. For Seoposenwe, her successful penalty kick was the last action for the national team as she had already announced retirement from international football before the tournament. South Africa went to this tournament in Morocco as defending champions and failure to get a medal is going to put the spotlight on coach Desiree Ellis and they may be more retirements to follow Seoposenwe.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Seoposenwe eyes one last hurrah in Banyana shirt
Banyana face Ghana in the third-place playoff at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca tonight Jermaine Seoposenwe believes it will be important for Banyana Banyana forward to return home with a medal after their failure to defend the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title. Banyana failed to defend the trophy they won in 2022 after they lost 2-1 to Nigeria in the semi-finals on Tuesday. ALSO READ: Banyana still have a lot to play for at WAFCON, says Ellis They will now face Ghana in the third-place playoff at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca tonight (kickoff is at 9pm SA time). 'Playing in the third and fourth place is disappointing to say the least, but I think as professionals we definitely just have to step up and take the responsibility of what this match brings. At the end of the day, we as African champions believe that going home with the bronze medal would still be somewhat of a consolation. But I think the team is still motivated, and we have to accept where we are as a group and still go out there and fight in our last match in this tournament,' said Seoposenwe. 'The team will be ready' 'I think just to do so will reconcile for what has happened and not making it to the final or not retaining our title, a bronze medal would suffice at the moment, there's nothing else we can play for. But I believe that the team will be ready, and the team will be focused and just still continuing to play for pride. At the end of the day, we are African champions, and we have to continue to do well, continue to develop, continue to go out there and show up for the young players with us in this tournament. And it's going to be important for us to show them that there is still that resilience, still that fight, still that belief and hopefully we can go home with the medal.' Last Banyana hooray for Seoposenwe South Africa beat Ghana 2-0 when the sides met in the group stages of the competition, but Seoposenwe has warned her teammates that the Black Queens cannot be taken lightly in this encounter. ALSO READ: Ngwenya sees Sithole-like recovery for injured Banyana star 'We played Ghana in the group stages and obviously it's difficult to go and play them again, but I think as a group we are confident in our abilities and what we are capable of doing. So I think the mental aspect of going and playing third and fourth playoff is difficult, but I think as a team we will regroup. Hopefully we can achieve what we might not have set up for but try and get that third-place medal,' said Seoposenwe who will be playing her last match in a Banyana Banyana shirt. The forward announced her retirement from the national team shortly before the start of the tournament.
The Citizen
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Dlamini the hero as Banyana beat Senegal to reach WAFCON semis
The game had to be decided on the penalty shootout after the teams were locked at 0-0 after extra-time. Defending champions Banyana Banyana beat Senegal 4-1 on penalties to reach the semifinal of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco on Saturday night. The game had to be decided on the penalty shootout after the teams were locked at 0-0 after extra-time. Andile Dlamini was the hero of the shootout saving two penalties as all four Banyana penalty takers found the back of the net with Bambanani Mbane scoring the winning spot kick for Desiree Ellies's side. The intensity of the game was as both teams launched attacks and Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini was forced to make a save in as early as the third minute and she did well to deny Nguenar Ndiaye from close range. Jermaine Seoposenwe did well to outpace the Senegalese defender, but her shot went wide of goal as Banyana launched an attack of their own. Seoposenwe almost made amends of that miss in the 22nd when she put pressure on Senegal goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye and she committed a mistake, but the ball was cleared to safety. Banyana appeal for a penalty for a foul on Seoposenwe but the referee signalled for goal kick instead. Five minutes later South Africa were given a scare when Dlamini laid on the ground, but she continued to play after she was attended by the Banyana medical team. Senegal were awarded a free kick in a promising position in the 42nd minute, but they wasted it by shooting over the crossbar. Banyana were awarded a free kick of their own just before the break, but Karabo Dhlamini shot straight at goalkeeper Ndiaye. The teams were locked at 0-0 at the break. The defending champions came out guns blazing in the second half as they look for the opener and captain Refiloe Jane took a shot from range and it went narrowly over the crossbar in the first minute of the second half. As Banyana continued to push for the winning goal, Senegal resorted to committed to kicking their players and Ellis had to make forced changes due to injuries. South Africa thought they had earned a penalty in the dying minutes of the match when Hilda Magaia was fouled inside, but after a long VAR check, the referee overturned her original decision to award South Africa the freekick. With nothing separating the teams, the game went to extra-time and then to the penalty shootout where Banyana emerged victorious.
TimesLIVE
14-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Banyana find Wafcon stride reaching quarters with thrashing of Mali
Banyana Banyana found their roar at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco as they put Mali to the sword in a 4-0 win in their final Group C game in Oujda on Monday night to emphatically book their place in the quarterfinals. Lebohang Ramalepe opened the scoring in just the fifth minute at Stade d'Honneur then captain Refiloe Jane added another with a 32nd-minute free-kick. In the second half Hildah Magaia (61st) and substitute Ronnel Donnelly (79th) completed a hefty scoreline that will give Banyana momentum and confidence going into the knockout stage. Coach Desiree Ellis' team needed a point to be sure of progression, though could still have gone through with a defeat, which was confirmed when Ghana thrashed Tanzania 4-1 in Berkane to go to second place above Mali. The South African defending champions, though, after a 2-0 opening win against Ghana where they played well in patches, then disappointing 1-1 draw against Tanzania, chose to go through to the quarters showing their intent to retain their title. Banyana clinched top place in Group C and will meet Senegal, the third-placed finishers in Group A with three points behind hosts Morocco and Zambia (both seven points), in their quarterfinal on Saturday. An advantage for South Africa is they stay at Stade d'Honneur, where they played their three group games. Senegal played in Mohammedia twice and Rabat once. The South Africans were forceful in attack against a solid Mali. Banyana ground possession from the West Africans and absorbed Mali's decent forward movement with strong defence. They worked hard for each other in the opening half and the result was a 2-0 lead by the break. Livewire attacker Jermaine Seoposenwe was involved in both those strikes. She battled for the ball in the middle then fed Banyana's irrepressible midfielder Ramalepe on the right to pick her spot with a shot blasted past Mali goalkeeper Fatoumata Karentao for the early opener. On a breakout run from a stray Mali pass Seoposenwe earned a a free-kick on the left edge of the area as she was fouled by Kani Konté. Jane's first attempt from the set piece forced a stop from Karentao but Moroccan referee Bouchra Karboubi ordered a retake, apparently for the wall encroaching. Jane's second was hit powerfully, going in off the attempted block of the Mali keeper. Banyana continued to apply pressure back from the change rooms. Just past the hour defender Karabo Dhlamini, one one of her runs up the right flank, produced the pass for Seoposenwe to run onto, the attacker, having been the provider twice, providing the low finish.
