Banyana Banyana forward Jermaine Seoposenwe has said the team would go all out against Nigeria to secure a ticket to the 2024 Olympics Women’s Football Tournament.
Speaking after the team edged Tanzania 2-0 at Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on Tuesday to set up a fourth and final round qualification clash with Nigeria, the Monterrey of Mexico forward agreed that facing Nigeria will be difficult but that her team will do all they can to prevail against the record nine-time African champions.
Seoposenwe, who was honoured after the match for earning her 100th cap for Banyana, hinged their hopes on unity in the team that saw them reach the knockout stages of the last FIFA Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
“You know our games against Nigeria are always difficult; it’s always like that. But I believe in our team and how we have been playing. We are going to prepare like we always prepare for any other game. The main objective is to qualify for the Olympics, and we will go all out to make sure that we achieve our goal,” said Seoposenwe, as cited by The Citizen.
She added: “I believe we have grown so much as a team and individually. We have been playing together for many years now, and that’s what makes us strong because we understand each other so well. The team spirit is just unbelievable, and that makes a lot of difference. Even young and new players don’t struggle to fit in with the team. If you look at the way we played during the World Cup, we were for each other; it was a team effort, and that helped us get through to the knockout stages.
“I am happy to have made my 100th cap, Banyana; it means a lot to me. I am just glad that I am part of a history-making team. I want to continue doing well and helping the team qualify for the next Olympics.”
The Nigeria Super Falcons defeated Cameroon 1-0 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, on Monday to progress to the final round of the qualification series on 1-0 aggregate after both teams battled to a barren draw in the first leg in Douala three days earlier.
The two-legged tie between South Africa and Nigeria will be played early in April, with the winner booking a spot as one of Africa’s representatives at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
