By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Banyana Banyana star Jermaine Seoposenwe assumed legendary status by reaching the milestone of 100 international caps against Tanzania on Tuesday night.
The African champions confirmed their place in the final round of qualifying for the Paris Olympics women’s football tournament with their 1-0 second leg win against Tanzania.
The South Africans won the first leg of the third-round tie 3-0 at Azam Complex Stadium in Mbagala, Tanzania, on Friday so progressed 4-0 on aggregate.
Thembi Kgatlana’s 58th minute goal separated the teams in a match in which fellow striker Seoposenwe went to 100 caps.
The Mexico-based forward will join an elite group of South African women’s footballers who have achieved this milestone since the team’s inception in 1993.
Retired defender Janine van Wyk currently holds the record for most appearances for both the men’s and women’s national teams on the African continent with 185 caps. She achieved this feat in December 2023 against Burkina Faso, the same day she announced her retirement from international football.
Noko Matlou (172 caps), Nompumelelo Nyandeni (149 caps), and Refiloe Jane (134 caps) follow van Wyk on the list. Other notable names include Nothando Vilakazi (137 caps), Portia Modise (124 caps), Mamello Makhabane (121 caps), Amanda Dlamini (105 caps), Leandra Smeda (100 caps), and Lebohang Ramalepe (97 caps).
Banyana Banyana entered the Olympic stage for the first time in 2012, followed by their second appearance in the 2016 Rio Games.
Their recent achievements include notable successes such as clinching the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title and securing consecutive qualifications for the Fifa Women’s World Cup.
Banyana’s upcoming challenge will be a clash against Nigeria’s Super Falcons in the fourth round of the women’s Olympic qualifiers, set to take place in April 2024.