Seoposenwe’s impactful Banyana return ‘well-timed’

With the weight of Banyana Banyana’s attacking options resting largely on Jermaine Seoposenwe’s shoulders in the absence of the injured Thembi Kgatla, South Africa is benefiting from the former Sporting Clube de Braga Feminino star’s form at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The 28-year-old frontwoman had set her sights on becoming one of the best on the continent with some stellar performances for Banyana at the WAFCON tournament, and one can finally say that she’s living her dream.

Seoposenwe recently parted ways with SC Braga after opting against renewing her contract with the Portuguese side as she looks for the next challenge of her career.  

The speedy forward was instrumental for the Braga-based outfit, as she helped them win the 2021/22 Portuguese Women’s League Cup title, having netted eight goals and weighed in with five assists for her side.

The Cape Town-born ace believes that her consistent form with Braga propels South Africa to WAFCON success after three years of absence in the Banyana squad and hoping to follow in the footsteps of compatriots – Noko Matlou and Thembi Kgatlana to win the African best gong at the continent’s showpiece. 

“I have had issues that kept me away from the national team. I also think being away from the national team has helped me; I think I haven’t been impressing as I should be mentally and physically. The national teams have created ups and downs for me, which I don’t want for my life. But, you know the positive working environment that is conducive for you to be the success. And that you ultimately believe what you can be and then have to get that replicated everywhere,” said Seoposenwe before Africa’s flagship women’s tournament.

“I hope my form with Braga could snowball into the national team and help them the best way I can to win the elusive trophy we’ve been trying to get for many years.”

Seoposenwe was named the Woman of the Match after her sole goal that secured Banyana a FIFA Women’s World Cup ticket, defeating Tunisia in the WAFCON quarterfinals at Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan Stadium on Thursday night.

She dedicated the Woman Of The Match accolade to the injured Kgatlana, who sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon during their 1-0 win against Botswana last Sunday.

“I dedicate this award to Thembi Kgatlana, who is my roommate and friend. She is unable to play with us now due to injury, and now my teammates and I must step up for her,” she said in a post-match interview.

“I am very sad that Thembi is not here. She is one of my really, really, really good friends, and it was really heartbreaking to lose her.”

Seoposenwe, who also scored South Africa’s first goal against Nigeria before Hilda Magala netted the second, added that: “Today’s victory was about hard work from my team and glory to God for bringing us to this point. We just wanted to win and secure our place in the World Cup, and now we want to win this Cup. I am very happy that I was able to positively contribute to the victory of our team.

“We could have scored a couple more goals. We shall look at our mistakes. As a team, we just need to weather the storm, but the most important thing is that we did not concede, and when you do that, you give yourself a chance to win. Now, we focus on the next one.”

Now, Seoposenwe aims to improve and step up when her team needs her the most, as her reintroduction to the Banyana squad is meant to be key in adding more goals to Desiree Ellis’ side.

RELATED STORY: Ellis thrilled by Seoposenwe’s Banyana return 

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