A NATIONAL football star has dropped a bombshell.
Banyana Banyana veteran striker Jermaine Seoposenwe has announced her retirement from the national team, and she's not holding back on the reasons why.
Speaking during a heartfelt interview with sports broadcaster Robert Marawa on 947, the Mexico-based star, who plays for Monterrey in the Liga MX Femenil, revealed shocking conditions that led to her decision to hang up her boots after more than a decade representing Mzansi.
"I haven't been happy in the national team for a very long time. Even before the Ghana game at Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), we were boycotting," she said.
She said this, revealing what many fans never knew about what's been going on behind closed doors.
Seoposenwe made it clear that her decision was not based on form or fitness but on the toxic environment she and her teammates have had to endure for years.
"The South Africa Football Association (Safa), the coaching and the culture is why I'm retiring. If we as a nation say we love football as much as we say we do, then we have a responsibility to bring change."
She said she hopes her bold step will spark real conversations and long-overdue reforms in women's football in Mzansi.
"But if it doesn't, I've done my part. I will fight for change in whichever way I can, because the next generation deserves better, just like those who came before me paved the way for us."
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Seoposenwe's shock retirement comes after a string of issues in the national setup, including delayed payments and poor treatment of players.
During the 2024 Wafcon in Morocco, Banyana were forced to resort to match boycotts after the Safa failed to pay fees owed from their preparation matches.
Their title defence campaign ended in heartbreak when they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Nigeria, who scored a late winner to take the match 2-1.
The Super Falcons went on to beat Morocco 3-2 in the final.
Seoposenwe, who ended her international career on that very stage, revealed that players also had to deal with last-minute travel disruptions before the Ghana game, affecting their performance and morale.
Daily Sun reached out to Safa spokesman Mninawa Ntloko, but he refused to comment on the matter.
"Safa is not going to respond to those remarks," he said.
