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Jermaine Seoposenwe says she drew inspiration from the injured Thembi Kgatlana to drive Banyana Banyana to Wafcon glory.

Photos: BackpagePix By: Mihlali Baleka

PORTIA Modise earned legendary status with the No. 12 jersey for Banyana Banyana, not only on the continent but on the globe, becoming the first African player to score 100 international goals.

An almost replica of Modise emerged in Thembi Kgatlana over the years, with the latter also full of speed and trickery.

And so, when Banyana lost Kgatlana to injury ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash against Tunisia, there were many a Banyana fan left wondering where the goals would come from?

After all, this was no ordinary match given that a win would guarantee Banyana passage to the Wafcon semi-finals and 2023 World Cup in New Zealand and Australia. Jermaine Seoposenwe wore the No 12 at this year’s Wafcon in Morocco, and the dreadlocked striker drove Banyana Banyana to the Promised Land in the absence of her “really, really, really good friend Kgatlana”.

Seoposenwe had previously also starred in the 2018 Wafcon in Ghana when Banyana finished as runners-up and qualified for their maiden World Cup in France. The 28-year-old delivered the lone strike in the recent quarter-final by keeping her composure to beat goalkeeper Salima Jobrani in a oneon-one situation.

It was a perfect start for the favourites, who earlier registered three wins on the trot in the group stage against multiple champions Nigeria, debutants Burundi and neighbours Botswana.

Seoposenwe tormented the Tunisian defence throughout, and ultimately won the Player of the Match award. But such is Seoposenwe’s character that she claimed it was the injured Kgatlana who was the driving force behind her performance.

ABOVE: Seoposenwe celebrates with her Banyana teammates after scoring the winner against Tunisia in the Wafcon quarter-final in Rabat.

“I am very sad that Thembi is not here. She is one of my really really really good friends and roommate and it was really heartbreaking to lose her. I dedicate this award to her. She is unable to play with us now due to injury and now my teammates and I must step up for her,” Seoposenwe, who recently left Portuguese club SC Braga, told CAF Online.

Seoposenwe and the rest of the Banyana team rose to the occasion in Kgatlana’s absence, going on to win their maiden Wafcon title with a 2-1 triumph over the hosts in the final.

JERMAINE Seoposenwe and Linda Motlhalo were key playmakers in driving Banyana Banyana to the Wafcon title.

“We are resilient. Everybody talks about us playing beautiful football, but you saw character as well. You saw players showing up, young players. Lots of people asked … ‘Why did Des choose this team? They’re so young … ” But they brought the energy. The experienced players stepped up to another level, and everybody played their part,” she said.

“This was our goal, this was our dream, we wanted to win it for South Africa. I am so proud of my team. I am so proud of everybody involved in this team.”

SEOPOSENWE celebrates with the winner’s trophy and her medal in Rabat.