Banyana Banyana forward Jermaine Seoposenwe believes that it will be important for the South Africa senior women’s national team to return home with a medal.
After not making the final of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 following the 1-2 loss to Nigeria in the semi-finals on Tuesday, Seoposenwe says there is still a lot to play for.
South Africa faces Ghana in the third and fourth place playoff, which will be played on Friday (25 July 2025) at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.
“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.
“But 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.”
Seoposenwe says Ghana cannot be taken lightly, even though South Africa managed to defeat them 2-0 in the first match of the current tournament in Oujda. The forward scored one of the goals.
The clash comes at the back of the loss to Nigeria in the semi-finals where the game was stopped for some time while Gabriela Salgado was attended to and eventually stretchered off the pitch after breaking her leg.
“It’s definitely going to be difficult mentally to be able to prepare but at the end of the day we have to continue to work hard, continue to play our game, continue to try and achieve something out of this tournament and get something out of this tournament for our team, for Gabby and for the people of South Africa, just get back to who we are, try to mentally prepare for what’s ahead,” added Seoposenwe.
“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. S 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.”
This will be the forward’s last match in a Banyana Banyana shirt after she announced her retirement from the national team shortly before the start of the tournament.
Seoposenwe will be playing her last match when she faces Ghana – her 112th appearance.
“First and foremost, I think this has just basically allowed me to be calm about everything. 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 and the fact that it’s coming to an end is kind of weird in a way, but the decision that I made was for my well-being and I stand by that decision,” said Seoposenwe.
“But it’s also been an interesting tournament to see the young players come up and take responsibility and step up to the plate and I’m really proud of what they’ve achieved. I hope that going forward they will take that torch and run with it. Obviously playing for Banyana Banyana is not the easiest thing, there’s a lot of pressure and hopefully I’ve shown them that you’re able to do that just – to stay true to who you are and continue to work hard and be disciplined in everything that you do.”
Kickoff between South Africa and Ghana is at 21h00 SA Time (20h00 local time in Morocco).
Banyana Banyana will fly out of Morocco on Tuesday (29 July) and are expected in South Africa on Wednesday morning (30 July).
Source: SAFA.net
