Banyana Banyana Star Jermaine Seoposenwe Retires from International Football After WAFCON Exit

Veteran South African striker Jermaine Seoposenwe has officially brought her international career to a close following Banyana Banyana’s third-place defeat to Ghana at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Friday.

The 31-year-old forward, who hails from Cape Town, bows out after an illustrious 15-year spell with the national team, during which she earned 112 caps and became a central figure in the rise of South African women’s football.

Seoposenwe etched her name in the history books in 2010 by scoring South Africa’s first-ever goal at a FIFA Women’s World Cup. Since then, she has been a consistent presence on the international stage, representing her country at two World Cups, two Olympic Games, and four WAFCON tournaments.

Speaking about her decision to retire, Seoposenwe revealed that it was made ahead of the tournament, allowing her to approach her final campaign with clarity and peace of mind.

“I made that decision before the tournament, so I came in feeling calm and settled,” she said. “The players teased me about my legacy, but for me, there’s just a sense of relief. I’m content with what I’ve given.”

A key contributor to South Africa’s historic WAFCON title win in 2022, Seoposenwe scored decisive goals against Nigeria in the group stage and Tunisia in the quarter-finals, performances that helped secure the nation’s long-awaited first continental crown.

Her journey with the national team began as a teenager at the 2010 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago. Later that same year, she made her senior debut during the WAFCON on home soil. By 2012, she was part of the squad at the London Olympics and helped the team to a silver medal finish at the WAFCON in Equatorial Guinea, all before her 20th birthday.

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis, who has known Seoposenwe since she was 15, praised the striker’s contribution to the sport.

“She leaves behind a remarkable legacy,” said Ellis. “She was part of the 2010 U17 World Cup and scored our first goal at a women’s World Cup. She’s played at back-to-back senior World Cups and Olympics, won silver at WAFCON 2018, lifted the trophy in 2022, and reached the Round of 16 at the 2023 World Cup. Jermaine is a warrior, a leader, and someone who always gave her all.”

Ellis highlighted the striker’s ability to rise to the occasion, particularly during the 2022 WAFCON campaign when she stepped up in the absence of injured star Thembi Kgatlana.

“She returned to the team after a long absence due to visa issues and made an instant impact. That’s who she is, dependable and determined.”

Team captain Refiloe Jane, a long-time teammate, described Seoposenwe as a key figure in the dressing room and a role model for younger players.

“She’s been hugely influential on and off the pitch. Her legacy is something future generations can look up to,” said Jane. “We would have loved to send her off with a win, but I hope she’s proud of how we performed.”

Former teammate and fellow centurion Amanda Dlamini, now a broadcaster, reflected on Seoposenwe’s growth and consistency.

“She came in young, full of talent and hunger, and she’s kept that fire throughout her career,” Dlamini told CAFOnline. “She’ll be remembered for her courage, composure, and leadership in attack.”

At club level, Seoposenwe has played across South Africa, Europe, and North America. After starting at the University of the Western Cape, she enjoyed stints in Lithuania, Spain, and Portugal. She currently plays for CF Monterrey in Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil.

Her departure marks the end of an era for Banyana Banyana, and the beginning of a new chapter for a player who helped shape the golden age of South African women’s football.