WAFCON: Seoposenwe reveals importance of South Africa beating Ghana

South Africa women’s national team forward Jermaine Seoposenwe has stressed the importance of beating Ghana in the third and fourth place playoff of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco on Friday.

Banyana Banyana failed in their bid to defend the crown after they lost to nine-time champions Nigeria 2-1, and they will face a Ghana side, who went out after losing against Morocco in the other semifinals.

“Playing in the third and fourth place is disappointing to say the least, but I think as professionals we definitely just have to step up and take the responsibility of what this match brings,” Seoposenwe told reporters as quoted by SAFA Media.

“At the end of the day, we as African champions believe that going home with the bronze medal would still be somewhat of a consolation. But I think the team is still motivated, and we have to accept where we are as a group and still go out there and fight in our last match in this tournament.

“But I think just to do so will reconcile for what has happened and not making it to the final or not retaining our title, a bronze medal would suffice at the moment, there’s nothing else we can play for. But I believe that the team will be ready, and the team will be focused and just still continuing to play for pride.

“At the end of the day, we are African champions, and we have to continue to do well, continue to develop, continue to go out there and show up for the young players with us in this tournament. And it’s going to be important for us to show them that there is still that resilience, still that fight, still that belief and hopefully we can go home with the medal.”

Seoposenwe further explained why Ghana must not be underrated: “We played Ghana in the group stages and obviously it’s difficult to go and play them again, but I think as a group we are confident in our abilities and what we are capable of doing.

“So, I think the mental aspect of going and playing third and fourth playoff is difficult, but I think as a team we will regroup. Hopefully we can achieve what we might not have set up for but try and get that third-place medal.”

South Africa played Ghana in the group stages with Banyana emerging 2-0 winners. This will be South Africa’s fifth match in the tournament after three wins – Ghana, Mali and Senegal – along with a draw and a defeat against Tanzania and Nigeria respectively.