Banyana Banyana forward Jermaine Seoposenwe has started a new life in Mexico after she was presented by her new employers, FC Monterey in the LigaBBVA MX Women in Mexico on Monday (21 August 2023).
The Capetonian was on the books of FC Juarez in the same league, and parted ways with them in June shortly before the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
She joined her previous club in August last year after helping the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana become the African Champions a month earlier in Morocco.
The forward was one of the livewires for her national team and very instrumental in rewriting the history book for South Africa on the world stage as they won their first ever World Cup fixture, which saw them progress to the Round of 16, alongside fellow Africans Nigeria and debutants Morocco.
Wearing her famous jersey number 12, Seoposenwe made her debut for the Mexican club, also known as Rayadas or Striped, on the very same day she was formerly introduced.
She came on in the 69th minute for Christina Burkenroad, facing her former team FC Juarez with the scores level at 1-all.
The match ended in a 2-all stalemate.
Regarding her arrival on the team, Jermaine stressed that it is a great opportunity in her career and she wants to be a Champion and #LiveTheImpossible.
“I don’t see it just as a challenge, but as an opportunity to be part of one of the best teams in the League. It’s an opportunity to be a champion and that’s why they brought me to Rayadas. I’m here to do my best for the team and I hope that my skills can support the team. In Rayadas I want to win as many titles as possible. It’s good to be part of a team with great players, it’s a challenge and that’s what I came to, to grow as a player,” said Seoposenwe.
“Being in Rayadas is a great opportunity to grow, be better and have the opportunity to win a League. It is a great team, a united group, we have the talent and experience to achieve it.”
In a statement, Rayadas del Monterey said they acquired the services of the South African forward as they want to the best team in the league and are always on the lookout for the best players to help them achieve that objective.
“It’s a very important day because we can formally introduce Jermaine. It is a pleasure to have her after her participation in the Women’s World Cup held in New Zealand and Australia, where she achieved important results with her selection,” Héctor Lara, sports director of the Monterrey Football Club, told the club’s website.
His words were echoed by Eva Espejo, technical director of the Rayadas, who also welcomed the albiazul striker.
“It is important that she is here, welcome to Casa, to your Club. We want you to change Rayadas’ face, contribute your experience and what you have shown in the teams you have been in. It fulfils a profile of having played in Europe and having important international environments to continue growing and endorse our commitment to the Fans of fighting for the championship every season,” said Espejo.
“What we saw from her in the World Cup is that she is one of the players who had the most participation in goal-threatening plays. His professionalism, discipline and effort is very important for Rayadas. We know that in Life and on the Court it can bring us many things. There is a lot of tournament ahead for the plans we have for her.”
The clash against FC Juarez was the seventh league match of the Apertura 2023 season, and Seoposenwe joins her new side that is lying fifth on the table of 18 teams.
They have won four games, drawn two and lost ones, leaving them with 14 points – seven behind log leaders Club America, who are yet to lose or draw after seven rounds of fixtures have been played.
Rayadas next face the eighth-placed U.N.A.M Pumas on Saturday, 26 August and Seoposenwe could just show that she is #notdoneyet.
By Matlhomola Morake
