Modiko: Seopasenwe Still Has A Lot To Offer

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola 


The departure of key players Ayesha Moosa and Idrielle Mibe to Spain and the United States, respectively, had a significant impact on the University of Johannesburg's performance in the Hollywoodbets Super League.


The Orange Army may have felt the hole created by the duo. However, head coach Nthabeleng Modiko believes that the departures of Moosa and Mibe, two Banyana Banyana internationals, provided the team with an opportunity to dig deep and rebuild itself.

"The departure of Ayesha and Idrielle from the club had an impact. We had the opportunity to rebuild because we had been with both Ayesha and Idrielle for three years. And, with them seeking greener pastures overseas, something we are quite proud of, it is only natural that their departure will have an impact. Our goal is to better prepare for the upcoming season. We are on the university side and are well aware of the annual rebuilding process. We have players that graduate and move overseas, and we welcome this impact. This season will be better because their move overseas has created larger or better opportunities for others to fill." Emphasized Modiko. 


Jermaine Seopasenwe has declared her retirement from international football following the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024. Dunga, as Modiko is popularly known in her group, believes Seopasenwe's decision to leave the stage was influenced by the type of person she is.

"Jermaine Seopasenwe is a significant loss to the national squad. For someone of her caliber. She is always quite demanding of herself. She made a decision that is consistent with her mentality and personality. If she thought she was not providing appropriate quality to the national team, it is only reasonable that she take a vacation, or in her case, retire. We've all been through this as national team players. There comes a point when we let the curtain fall on our time. But I believe she still has a lot to contribute. We see in her performances week after week. It is quite mature and honest of her to recognize that if she is not giving her all to the national team, it is only fair to call it quits. "We cry, but that's part of the game." Said Modiko. 

Related Story: I'll Be At The WAFCON 

South Africa is in camp ahead of the WAFCON event, which will be held in Morocco later this month. Coach Desiree Ellis has put together a preliminary 38-member squad that will compete in the Hollywoodbets COSAFA tournament in Polokwane and the WAFCON in Morocco. Modiko is certain Banyana Banyana will perform well at the WAFCON and has thrown her support behind the squad.

"I fully back Coach Desiree and the troops. This is a formidable squad, full of experience, with many players plying their trades abroad coming in to assist the national team. Coming fourth in the previous edition was still a wonderful result for us as a country since it demonstrated that we fought all the way to the semi-finals. Not to say the other one wasn't important, but this one is a FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier. We were not the victors in 2022 by chance. I believe they will advance to the finals." Modiko sealed. 

@Lamola_Herold

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