Seoposenwe to quit Banyana
JOHANNESBURG - Jermaine Seoposenwe has announced her international retirement.
The Banyana Banyana star posted on social media that she will quit the national team after next month's Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
The defending champions are in Group C alongside Ghana, Mali and Tanzania.
They take on the Black Queens of Ghana in their opener on the 7th of July.
The 31-year-old was instrumental in Banyana's Wafcon triumph against Morocco three years ago.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Safa must be held to account after Banyana Banyana's shameful pay protest
SAFA president Danny Jordaan announced on Saturday that the recent dispute concerning player payments had been successfully resolved. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Newspapers When news of the sit-in broke, frustration reached boiling point. Former technical director of women's football at Safa, Fran Hilton-Smith, took to social media to lament the ongoing 'mess' — a sentiment echoed by many who have observed the repeated mishandling of women's football matters over the years. This troubling pattern resurfaced on Friday, ahead of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, when players staged a sit-in protest and flatly refused to attend a scheduled training session at their Moroccan base. For the umpteenth time, South Africa's national women's football team, Banyana Banyana, have had to confront the age-old issue of unpaid salaries while preparing for a major tournament. African champions Banyana Banyana hard at work at training ahead of the WAFCON. Jermaine Seoposenwe arrived and watched her colleagues going through their paces. #LiveTheImpossible @SABC_Sport Social media platforms have since been flooded with expressions of outrage from fans over the continued mistreatment of Banyana, who are the defending Wafcon champions. Many have also called for structural reforms within Safa to ensure the long-term well-being and success of the team. Among the concerns raised are inadequate resources, poor training facilities, and a lack of proper support systems for the squad. There is a growing call for improved contractual conditions and greater accountability regarding player remuneration. Indeed, this is far from the first time Banyana have been forced to deal with unresolved financial disputes. The issue of delayed payments has been a recurring saga, one that has severely impacted team morale. It is especially disheartening given the pride Banyana inspire among South Africans. The team have made significant progress on the continental stage and famously advanced beyond the group phase at the most recent Fifa Women's World Cup. On Saturday, Safa president Danny Jordaan announced that the latest financial dispute concerning player payments had been resolved. Speaking at the Safa national executive committee congress, held at the Sandton Convention Centre, Jordaan sought to reassure players and fans alike. On Sunday, Banyana were back at training for their Wafcon defence. They tournament starts on Saturday, with the South African senior national women team starting their campaign against Ghana a week from Monday. Safa vice-president Linda Zwane elaborated, stating that the issue stemmed from unpaid match fees relating to the Three Nations Challenge held at the end of May. Delays in payment to players and staff had sparked tension and frustration within the camp. The issue of unpaid salaries for national team players has reached a critical juncture. Those responsible must be held to account. This latest debacle is not just an administrative failure — it is a stain on the reputation of South African football. Banyana have carried the nation's hopes with pride and distinction, yet continue to be treated with disregard. If Safa truly values the growth of the women's game, systemic change is non-negotiable. Accountability must replace excuses. Respect must replace neglect. And above all, no national team representing this country should ever again be left to fight for what they are rightfully owed.
IOL News
19 hours ago
- IOL News
Banyana camp dispute suggests SAFA still don't take women's football seriously
Taken for granted Banyana Banyana players are taken through their paces as they prepare for the upcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix The latest news coming out of the Banyana Banyana camp as they prepare to defend their Women's Africa Cup of Nations title is concerning, and fingers should once again be pointed at the South African Football Association. According to reports, the players boycotted a number of training sessions during the week as they had some outstanding payments. It's something that's not new in South African football. Prior to the previous tournament, in Morocco like this year's one, the players went on strike to let SAFA know they were not happy with the bonuses they would be getting for being at the competition. It was an ugly saga that never should have happened. To their credit, the team rose above the storm and came back home with the trophy. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading One would think that SAFA would have learned lessons from back then and made sure that preparations for this year's tournament would go on without any major issues. But that's a bit of a stretch. Addressing the situation, SAFA vice-president Linda Zwane said they had dealt with it 'swiftly.' 'It was made known to us. It's a minor issue. The payments of the previous games that they played, particularly the Malawi game, which the association had undertaken to address – that particular matter. 'So, there is an agreement that has been reached with the team through their captain [Refiloe Jane]. As far as we are concerned, that particular matter is now buried. The association has made commitments to address that, making sure that players continue with preparations.' That things got this far suggests SAFA care very little about the women's game. There is also the issue with head coach Desiree Ellis' contract, which has yet to be renewed after expiring in 2024. SAFA say 'the contract is in place but awaits guidance from the technical committee on a reappointment.' Surely this is something that should have been dealt with last year when they knew her contract would be up soon. It's hard to shake the feeling that Banyana Banyana's success is being taken for granted. The players have proven time and again that they can rise above adversity, but they shouldn't have to. If SAFA are serious about progress and pride in the women's game, then it must start treating these champions with the respect, planning, and professionalism they've more than earned. Anything less sends a clear message – that even triumph on the continental stage isn't enough to earn the basic dignity of proper support. South African football cannot continue to rely on the resilience of its women while failing them behind the scenes. IOL Sport * The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media. ** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to iolletters@ Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication). Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
Daily Maverick
21 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
‘One day at a time' — Banyana Banyana sharpen focus on journey to defend Wafcon title
Desiree Ellis's team is targeting a historic Women's Africa Cup of Nations title defence on Moroccan soil after lifting the trophy in 2022. Banyana Banyana are in uncharted territory. For the first time they are heading to a major tournament as defending champions. It is pressure with which the South Africans are not acquainted, but they are embracing it as they continue to carve out a path for future generations. Banyana Banyana won the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), the first time they were crowned champions of Africa despite being one of the best teams on the continent for an extended period. With this hurdle cleared, the team is aiming to create more history. In the more than three-decade history of the Wafcon, Banyana became just the third team to win the tournament three years ago, following in the footsteps of Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. The Nigerians won the first seven editions of the continental showpiece before Equatorial Guinea snapped this dominance in 2008. Then Nigeria won it again two years later, before Equatorial Guinea triumphed for a second time in 2012. After that it was Nigerian dominance once more until South Africa snapped the monotony. If Banyana Banyana win this year's Morocco-hosted spectacle, they will join the two nations as multi-African champions. Flying start This all starts on Monday, 7 July when the defending champions take on Ghana in their opening group C game. They will then tussle with Tanzania four days later, before closing off the group campaign with a battle against Mali on 14 July. 'We are going to take it one day at a time. If we think too far ahead, we will lose focus on what's at hand. So, we will put everything towards that first game to make sure we get a positive result. Then we'll go to the next one and the next one,' said Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis. 'We have told the players that, yes, we are the defending champions. But we also said that we are contenders, like everybody else. Everyone going to this tournament has an ambition to win it and we are no different.' 'It's a difficult group because no team is easy to play,' said Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane, 'especially on the African continent. We are hoping that in the first game against Ghana we can set the tone [for the rest of the tournament]. Then we will take one game at a time.' Ellis added: 'We are under no illusions about the target on our back. But the experience of having been there and knowing how to get over that hurdle will [stand] us in good stead, even though it's a newish squad.' Thembi Kgatlana's absence Experienced players such as midfield maestros Jane and Linda Motlhalo, defender Bambanani Mbane, goalkeepers Andile Dlamini and Kaylin Swart, as well as forwards Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia, will be the bedrock of the team. Seoposenwe (who will retire from international soccer at the end of Wafcon) and Magaia will be particularly crucial in the absence of fellow sharpshooter Thembi Kgatlana. The former African footballer of the year has excused herself from national duty for 'personal reasons'. 'We know the capabilities of Thembi and what she offers to the team. It's going to be a big loss for the team. But we also have other players who have to step up and try to do well in that position. We have to go out there and play as a team, to fight for each other to hopefully retain the trophy,' Jane said. Despite the setback of losing Kgatlana, the South Africans are confident that the team will be able to navigate the demands of the tournament all the way to the final again. They are also hopeful that they can deliver another Wafcon triumph to send off Seoposenwe on a winning note. 'We have seen Jermaine out in Mexico and what she's done. We have seen what she's done for the national team and she's currently in good scoring form. Hopefully she can keep that form [at the Wafcon]. But a big thank you to Jermaine. She's always come in and given her best, raising the level. Hopefully we can give her a good sendoff,' said Ellis. Fresh faces Although they have stagnated in recent years, 11-time African champions Nigeria remain the biggest threat to Banyana Banyana's ambitions. Morocco – who South Africa vanquished 2-1 in the final to clinch a maiden continental title three years ago – can't be underestimated either. The same is true for Zambia, who earned a bronze medal at the previous Wafcon instalment. Kgatlana's absence has opened up a spot for the young players in the Banyana Banyana fold. Teenagers such as JVW's Bonolo Mokoma and zippy winger Adrielle Mibe will be hungry to show what they can do in the absence of one of the continent's most lethal strikers. Another new face in the team is the University of the Western Cape's Ronnel Donnelly. The 21-year-old striker has undoubtedly been included for physical presence against robust defenders. Young goalkeeper Casey Gordon and striker Nthabiseng Majiya will not travel with the squad, but will be on standby. 'I had conversations with them when they came to camp and some of them were extremely nervous,' said Ellis of the fresh faces in the team. 'I told them that we selected them based on what we see and we don't want them to do anything different. But we want them to take what we've seen to the next level.' With African nations focusing more and more on women's soccer, this edition of the Wafcon (5 to 26 July) promises to increase the competitiveness seen in previous editions. All 12 participating teams are hungry to showcase their growth from the past few years. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
