Image: Supplied
Cape Town-born Banyana Banyana forward Jermaine Seoposenwe believes that tomorrow morning’s crunch match against the Netherlands will need the team’s complete focus.
Jay, as she is affectionately known, says the team was more united than before and focussed on the job as they go head-on with the ninth-ranked Dutch side in the Round of 16 Sydney Football Stadium in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Kick-off is at 04h00.
“I think we are definitely a lot more focused now because the situation is win or go home. (We will need) the complete focus going into this match and trying to do our best to see if we get a good result,” said Seoposenwe, who hails from Mitchell’s Plain.
Addressing the criticism the team received after their 2-2 draw against Argentina, Seoposenwe said it did not affect the team’s unity, and they will continue to fight for each other.
“As professionals, you have to take the criticism just as well. At the end of the day, people say many things, but as a team, we understand what we are capable of, who we are and what we have achieved thus far. So if you allow all the external factors to come and create division within the team, that division will show on the pitch.
“So many things have been said about so many players and the coach, and you still just see unity on the pitch; we fight for each other, and we continue to play for each other,” added Seoposenwe.
The former University of the Western Cape star, who has played for Portuguese side SC Braga and Real Bettis in Spain, is one of the many players and staff members in the senior national team with Cape Town connections.
Those who are in the books or were previously registered by Cape Town-based teams include Kylin Swart, Fikile Magama, Bongeka Gamede, Kholosa Biyana, Sibulele Holweni, Nomvula Kgoale, Noxolo Cesane, Thembi Kgatlana, as well as the conditioning coach Ridhaa Ali, coach Desiree Ellis and her assistant Thinasonke Mbuli.
Cape Town, like the rest of the nation and the continent, wishes Banyana Banyana luck.
This article was slightly modified from the one that appeared on Safa.net.
Edited by Nicklaus Kruger
