Jermaine Seoposenwe has officially retired from international football following South Africa’s final match at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, bringing the curtain down on a distinguished career with Banyana Banyana.
The forward made her final appearance for the national team on Friday in a placement fixture against Ghana, concluding an international journey that spanned more than a decade and earned her 112 caps.
Her exit marks the end of a chapter defined by dedication, decisive performances, and leadership on and off the pitch.
“In 2022, when Thembi got injured, Jermaine took responsibility,” head coach Désirée Ellis reflected. “She’s a player capable of responding in key moments.” Ellis paid tribute to the forward’s reliability and composure during the team’s most challenging periods, recognising Seoposenwe as an irreplaceable figure during crucial phases of competition.
Speaking after her final match, Seoposenwe expressed her emotions, hinting at a deep sense of closure.
“It’s a relief, a sense of peace. I don’t know if those are the right words, but that’s what I feel,” she admitted. Her calm demeanour underscored a career that had come full circle—from youthful promise to seasoned stalwart.
Her international story began in 2010 with South Africa’s U17 side, where she made history by scoring the nation’s first-ever goal at a FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
Fare thee well @jermaine109 for being a true servant of the game, wearing the national colours with pride#banyanabanyana pic.twitter.com/4L12Qq8MFV
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) July 25, 2025
That breakthrough moment laid the foundation for a career that would see her grow into a vital figure in the senior national team.
Amanda Dlamini, a former teammate and South African international, reflected on Seoposenwe’s remarkable journey.
“I remember her as a young woman, full of talent and brimming with ambition. She was forged through hardship. What she achieved is exceptional,” Dlamini said, underlining the resilience that came to define Seoposenwe’s footballing identity.
While her chapter with Banyana Banyana has ended, the 30-year-old forward will continue her club career with CF Monterrey, where she remains a prominent figure.
Seoposenwe’s departure leaves behind a legacy of excellence and influence.
From her trailblazing moments as a teenager to her leadership in South Africa’s senior squad, her contributions have etched her name into the fabric of women’s football in the country.
Her retirement signals the end of an era but also sets the stage for new talents to follow in her footsteps.
