I’m losing my best friend: Swart

Banyana Banyana’s preparations to defend their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco next month has been marred by the unavailability of star player, Thembi Kgatlana.

Star player, Thembi Kgatlana, has ruled herself out of selection, citing personal reasons. Her decision comes hot on the heels of the news of Jermaine Seoposenwe retiring from international football after the tournament.

Seoposenwe said she’s retiring from the national team for her wellbeing.

Her imminent retirement is a hard pill to swallow for Banyana goalkeeper, Kaylin Swart.

The two have played together since they were 17 and have now become Banyana veterans, with the latter amassing over 100 caps for her nation.

“It’s such hard one to speak about because Jermaine and I have come up together through the years since under-17s when we were still babies and now we’re seniors in the national team,” Swart says.

Seoposenwe’s decision comes on the back of Banyana’s recent tri-series win, where her performances helped the team achieve the result as they prepare to defend their WAFCON title, where she will experience a final outing in the national team’s jersey.

Swart says she’s losing more than just a teammate.

“I think she’s done an incredible job, not jurist for the country but for herself too. I’m losing my roomie and best friend. She can hold her head up high,” she adds.

The final Banyana squad for WAFCON will be named on Monday afternoon. Written by Ntsako Mkhari