Emotional Debut: Ronnel Donnelly Shines in First Banyana Appearance with Seoposenwe
Ronnel Donnelly had a moment to cherish as she made her debut for Banyana Banyana on Monday, sharing the pitch with one of her football idols, Jermaine Seoposenwe. The 21-year-old forward from the University of the Western Cape couldn’t hold back her excitement following her late cameo in South Africa’s 2-0 victory over Ghana in their opening Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group C clash.
Reacting to the special milestone, Donnelly summed up her feelings in a heartfelt South African way: “Yoooooooh!” It was a moment loaded with emotion and pride as she stepped onto the field at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco.
‘I Couldn’t Believe I Was Playing With Her’
Despite playing only the final four minutes of the match, Donnelly described her debut as “the best ever”, especially given that she got to play alongside Seoposenwe. “It felt amazing. It gave me hope,” she said. “I’ve always admired her, and to actually play with her… it was surreal. I kept thinking, ‘Wow, I’m on the pitch with Jermaine!’”
The young striker admitted she was caught by surprise when called upon, saying she hadn’t expected to be subbed in during the match. “I was nervous – it was my first appearance. I didn’t think I’d get a chance, but the fact that I did shows that I’m doing something right in training,” she said.
Eyes on More Game Time
Having tasted her first few minutes in senior national colours, Donnelly is eager for more. Her debut has fuelled her motivation to continue pushing for regular inclusion. “It has made me more determined. I want more caps now. I want to work harder,” she said.
Her next opportunity might come as early as Friday, when Banyana return to the same venue to face Tanzania. The East African side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Mali and will be desperate for a win to stay in contention for the knockout stages.
Donnelly echoed the team’s sentiment that every match is crucial at this level. “Each game matters. This one is another must-win,” she insisted. “We need to stay focused and get those three points. The team is confident and ready to take control of the match.”
Mbane Calls for Focus and Respect
Meanwhile, experienced defender Bambanani Mbane, who earned the Player of the Match award for her commanding display against Ghana, stressed the importance of respecting all opponents.
Speaking to SowetanLive, Mbane noted: “We’ve agreed as a squad that we won’t underestimate any team. Tanzania may have lost their opener, but they’ll come at us with everything. We need to be prepared.”
Fired Up and Ready to Go Again
With three points in the bag and confidence building, the national side is hoping to maintain momentum in Group C. For Donnelly, her brief but powerful debut is just the beginning of what could be a promising international career. Backed by a supportive team and learning from seasoned players like Seoposenwe, her story is one of hope, hard work, and a powerful reminder that dreams do come true—even if they start with just four minutes on the pitch.
Related article: Desiree Ellis Praises Banyana’s Resilient Defence After Strong WAFCON Start