Jermaine Seoposenwe on retirement: “Football has been a great teacher”

Veteran Banyana Banyana midfielder Jermaine Seoposenwe is set to hang up her boots following South Africa’s final fixture at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where they will face Ghana in the third-place playoff at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Friday evening (9pm).

The 31-year-old, who announced her impending retirement ahead of the squad’s trip to Morocco, will make her 110th and final appearance for the national team – marking the end of a distinguished international career.

Seoposenwe formed part of the golden generation that clinched the WAFCON title in 2022, alongside teammates such as Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Linda Motlhalo, Thembi Kgatlana and Janine van Wyk. That victory earned Banyana Banyana a place at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where they progressed to the round of 16 before being eliminated by the Netherlands.

Reflecting on her final days as a professional player, Seoposenwe described a sense of peace and fulfilment.

“There’s a feeling of relief – not in a negative way, but rather a calm acceptance that this chapter is coming to a close,” said the midfielder, currently plying her trade in Mexico with Monterrey in the Liga MX Femenil.

“It may seem strange, but this decision was made with my well-being in mind, and I’m confident it’s the right one. Football has given me everything I have in life.”

She credited the sport for opening doors she never imagined and spoke with gratitude about her journey.

“My passion and love for football have driven me all these years. Banyana gave me the platform to show the world what I can do, and through that, I’ve travelled and experienced things beyond my wildest dreams,” she said. “Football has been an incredible teacher – on and off the pitch – and I’ll always be grateful.”

Seoposenwe confirmed her decision to step away from the game had been long in the making.

“I made up my mind long before this tournament. I’ve been calm and settled about it ever since. Some things would need to change drastically for me to reconsider, but nothing has shifted since I first made the call – over two years ago, in fact.”

While she’s stepping away from the spotlight, she remains optimistic about the future of the national team and is encouraged by the emergence of young talent.

“One player who stands out is Ronnel Donnelly – she’s come to me for advice, which I really appreciate. I’m not a natural number nine, but I’ve played that role during the tournament, and it’s great to see her soaking up knowledge. I value being seen as a role model – it means a lot.”

Seoposenwe praised the younger generation for stepping up during the tournament and expressed pride in their growth.

“Representing Banyana isn’t easy – there’s immense pressure – but I hope I’ve shown that with discipline, self-belief and hard work, it’s possible to succeed.”

As for her legacy, Seoposenwe prefers to leave that to others to define.

“People will remember me however they choose – it’s not something I can control. What matters is the football I played, the effort I gave, and the impact I made. I’ve led the team with pride and have always tried to be someone South Africa could rely on in difficult moments.”