Gabriela Salgado says she has banished the memory of the horrific leg fracture that wrecked her last Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) campaign, as Banyana Banyana launch another title challenge in Morocco.
The 28-year-old forward suffered a mid-shaft fracture of her left leg in the semi-final defeat by Nigeria at the previous Wafcon, also staged in Morocco, as South Africa’s title defence unravelled and ended in a disappointing fourth-place finish.
Now, with the 2024 tournament kicking off on Sunday and running until 16 August, again in Morocco, Salgado insists she is mentally and physically ready to chase the continental crown that has eluded her personally.
“Injuries are part of the game … I’ve been back with the team for a while now, so my injury is no longer in my mind. I am just happy to be on the field,” Salgado said.
“It took a lot of mental [strength] for me to be here today, returning to Wafcon. I had to have a good mentality and put in the work. The past setbacks motivate me to go for that gold medal.”
Pain of missing 2022 triumph
Salgado’s relationship with Wafcon has been marked by misfortune.
A serious shoulder injury kept her out of the 2022 edition, when Banyana Banyana made history by winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. South Africa lifted the trophy in Morocco without one of their most creative attacking players.
Twelve months later, at the subsequent Wafcon staged in the same North African country, Salgado finally made it onto the continental stage but saw her campaign cut short in agonising fashion.
Her leg fracture in the semi-final against long-time rivals Nigeria came as Banyana’s title defence faltered, and they ultimately had to settle for fourth place.
The setback required a lengthy rehabilitation, but Salgado says the experience has hardened her resolve rather than diminished her ambitions.
‘Past setbacks’ now fuel title push
Salgado has been back in the national set-up for several months, gradually building form and confidence.
The forward, who brings versatility and flair to the Banyana attack, believes the psychological battle after such a serious injury was as demanding as the physical recovery.
“It took a lot of mental [strength] for me to be here today, returning to Wafcon,” she said. “I had to have a good mentality and put in the work. The past setbacks motivate me to go for that gold medal.”
Her determination will be crucial as South Africa look to regain the momentum that carried them to the 2022 title, but deserted them during last year’s troubled campaign.
Route to Brazil 2027 on the line
Banyana Banyana have been drawn in Group B alongside Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, with all three group matches scheduled for the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
In South African time, their fixtures are:
– 27 July v Tanzania (18:00)
– 31 July v Ivory Coast (18:00)
– 4 August v Burkina Faso (21:00)
The stakes in Morocco extend beyond continental bragging rights.
All four semi-finalists at this year’s Wafcon will qualify automatically for the next Women’s World Cup, which will be staged in Brazil next winter. A further two African nations will have the chance to reach the global showpiece through inter-continental play-offs.
For Salgado, the tournament offers a dual opportunity: to finally secure a Wafcon winner’s medal on the pitch, and to help steer South Africa back onto the World Cup stage.
Having watched one triumph from the sidelines and seen another campaign end in a stretcher ride off the field, she arrives in Morocco determined that this Wafcon will, at last, be remembered for her football rather than her injuries.
