Jermaine Seoposenwe has become the second Banyana Banyana player to win a gold medal in the 2022.
The Capetonian lifted the Women’s League Cup with SC Braga in Portugal, following on the heels of defender Lebogang Ramalepe who won the Women’s Super Cup with Dinamo Minsk in Belarus about a fortnight ago.
SC Braga beat SL Benfica 3-2 on penalties after the two sides could not be separated in after extra time where it ended goalless.
This is Seoposenwe’s second title with the Portuguese outfit after she won the 2019/20 Taça de Portugal trophy.
In an evenly-balanced first half, both Braga and Benfica missed several scoring chances, with an inviting opportunity falling to Ana Rute of Braga in the first minute, but went wide.
They also hit the crossbar in the 26th minute from Myra Delgadillo’s header in what was their best chance in this period.
The second stanza was more of the same and the match headed to extra time – but still both teams couldn’t find the back of the net.
When extra time failed to produce a winner, it was then up to the dreaded penalty shootout to decide the victors.
In the shootout, Braga’s goalkeeper and Portuguese international, Patricia Morais, proved to be the heroine when she saved two penalties and lead her side to a hard-earned 3-2 win – their first ever Women’s League Cup triumph.
Seoposenwe could not contain her excitement as she celebrated the victory.
Club President Antonio Salvador was one of the first to congratulate the squad on the huge victory.
“There are no words to describe the pride I feel at this moment. Six years after the recreation of the SC Braga Women’s Team, we can say that we have added all national titles to our Museum. SC Braga won the League Cup with a fantastic display against Benfica. A feat only within the reach of a great team and that makes us extremely proud. Our Gverreiras proved all their worth and fully deserved victory. They are truly an inspiration and an example for all athletes in our Club. Many doubted our strength in this modality, but led by an ambitious coach who from day one gave himself body and soul to this project we were able to re-rise a trophy. Congratulations, mister João Marques! A special word for all the staff who accompany the team, who made sure that nothing was missing for this title to be won. All of them are also largely responsible for winning the 2021/22 League Cup.
But one thing is certain: we don’t want and won’t stop here. We will fight with all our might for more titles in this modality. To our fans, I leave a guarantee: we will continue to bet on Women’s Football, convinced that we will have even more reason to celebrate in the future. Congratulations to everyone,” said the President in a statement.
ROAD TO THE FINAL:
SC Braga 3-0 CS Maritimo
(first Leg quarterfinal)
CS Maritimo 0 – 3 SC Braga
(2nd Leg quarterfinal – won 6-0 on aggregate)
SC Braga 3 – 2 Sporting
(first leg semi-final)
Sporting 1 – 2 SC Braga
(2nd leg semi-final – won 5-3 on aggregate)
SC Braga 0 – 0 SL Benfica
(Final – Braga won 3-2 on penalties after extra time)
Marcolino Castro Stadium, Santa Maria da Feira
By Matlhomola Morake
