UPDATE: August 9: Jamaica lost to Colombia 1-0 in the round of 16. South Africa also lost 2-0 to the Netherlands.

Two of the best to ever put on a Samford uniform are headed to the Round of 16 in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
 
Jermaine Seoposenwe, a Samford forward from 2014-17, and Alyssa Whitehead, a Bulldogs goalkeeper from 2008-11 and coach from 2015-17, are both experiencing major success on the international stage this summer.
 
Seoposenwe has been a member of South Africa's international team since 2010 and is playing in her second Women's World Cup. This will be her first appearance in the Round of 16, after the 2019 team went 0-0-3. This year, South Africa finished second in its group, going 1-1-1 with a 2-2 draw against Argentina and a 3-2 win over Italy. Seoposenwe started all three games and played all 270 minutes in group play.
 
Whitehead is currently serving as the goalkeepers coach for Jamaica, who also finished second in its group with a 1-0 win over Panama and draws against Brazil and France. Jamaica did not allow a single goal in the group stage.
 
"I'm grateful to be able to represent the country of Jamaica as a coach in this World Cup," Whitehead said. "It's a moment to show that a small country can do big things on the world stage. It's another chapter in my story where God is fully present and evident, to Him the glory. It's also a chance to say thank you to my mom and grandmother for the sacrifices and inspiration they've made for me to be in the position I am in today."
 
Both players smashed the Samford record books during their time in a Bulldogs uniform. Seoposenwe holds the career records for goals (39), assists (39), points (117), game-winning goals (15), and shots (220), while also holding single-season records for goals (16—2016), assists (13—2014), points (38—2016), game-winning goals (8—2016), and shots (75—2017).  Whitehead holds the career records for minutes (6,932:26), goals-against average (0.74), and shutouts (34), as well as single-season records for minutes (2,066:25—2011), saves (120—2011), goals-against average (0.31—2009), and shutouts (12—2010).
 
Whitehead was inducted into the Samford Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018. Seoposenwe will be eligible for induction beginning in 2024.
 
South Africa will take on Netherlands in the Round of 16 on Saturday, August 5 at 9 p.m. central time on FOX. Jamaica will face Columbia on Tuesday, August 8 at 3 a.m. central time on FS1.

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