Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has revealed that midfielder Robyn Moodaly-Salgado walked away from football amid a battle with mental health and a torrent of online abuse – and has now made a remarkable return to the South Africa squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).
The 32-year-old JVW FC player has been recalled to the national team nearly three years after her last appearance, and less than a year after she stepped back from international duty to prioritise her wellbeing.
Moodaly-Salgado has been included in the group travelling to Morocco for the continental showpiece, which runs from 26 July to 16 August, as defending champions South Africa seek to retain the title they lifted in 2022.
‘She didn’t retire’ – Ellis sets record straight
Ellis used a media briefing to address speculation around the midfielder’s absence and to underline the human cost of online abuse directed at players.
“I’m not going to go into much detail. A lot of people said she retiredshe didn’t retire. She took a break due to mental health and cyberbullying,” Ellis told reporters.
“I read something the other day that somebody posted, saying be kinder to everyone because they’re also human beings. I’m not saying don’t criticise, but I’m saying think: that could be your sister, could be your brother, could be your mother. At the end of the day, no one sets out onto the field to have a bad game, and no one sets out onto the field to lose a match.”
Moodaly-Salgado had publicly announced in October 2023 that she was stepping away from international football, describing it as a personal choice “to take care of my mental well-being”.
Her decision came just two months after she helped Banyana Banyana make history at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, where South Africa reached the knockout phase for the first time.
Key role in South Africa’s title defence
Now back in the fold, the 2022 Wafcon winner is expected to be a central figure in South Africa’s attempt to defend their crown.
Banyana Banyana have been drawn in Group B alongside Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania. They will open their campaign against Tanzania at the Moulay Rachid Stadium on Monday.
Ellis believes Moodaly-Salgado’s club form and experience make her a crucial presence in a squad that is being refreshed with younger players.
“We’re just happy that she’s back. She’s been fantastic in the league and has probably been one of the players carrying her team, so we’re really happy to have her in the squad,” Ellis said.
“I think it adds a little bit more experience. We have a couple of players under the age of 23 coming in, like Asanda [Hadebe] coming into the squad for the first time, as well as Nthabiseng [Majiya], Zoe [October], and Isabella [Ludwig].”
Wider debate on online abuse
Ellis’s comments place renewed focus on the impact of cyberbullying on professional athletes, particularly in women’s football, where players have increasingly spoken out about the abuse they face on social media.
By openly linking Moodaly-Salgado’s absence to online harassment and mental health struggles, the South Africa coach has added her voice to calls for greater responsibility from fans and platforms.
As Banyana Banyana prepare to defend their African title in Morocco, Ellis will hope that her experienced midfielder’s return not only strengthens the team on the pitch, but also contributes to a wider conversation about protecting players from online harm.
