WAFCON
Nigeria, South Africa Unite in Compassion After Salgado’s Horror Injury at WAFCON 2024
In a remarkable show of sportsmanship and unity, Nigeria’s Super Falcons visited South African defender Gabriela Salgado at the Mohamed VI University Hospital in Casablanca.
This heartwarming visit followed the horror injury she sustained during the semifinal clash between both teams at the ongoing 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Salgado, 28, had been a symbol of resilience heading into the high-stakes fixture on Monday, July 21. The South African international had missed WAFCON 2022 due to a serious injury. She had fought her way back into the Banyana Banyana squad.
She was looking forward to finally living her dream on Africa’s biggest football stage.
She was brimming with excitement as she participated in the pre-match press conference. She spoke passionately about her journey. She also expressed her teammates’ togetherness and her determination to help South Africa retain their continental crown.
That enthusiasm continued as she and her teammates sang their way off the team bus and into the stadium dressing room ahead of what has become Africa’s most anticipated women’s football rivalry.
The match lived up to its billing, with Nigeria taking the lead through a Rasheedat Ajibade penalty before South Africa equalised via a Linda Motlhalo spot-kick.
But tragedy struck late in the game when Salgado suffered a gruesome leg injury that brought play to a standstill.
The reactions of players from both sides—some visibly shaken, others in tears or slumped on the turf—told the story of the horror that had just unfolded.
In compassion, Super Falcons’ Alozie gives a helping hand as Salgado is being strethered out of the pitch.
Salgado was later diagnosed with a fracture of the mid-shaft of her left leg and underwent successful surgery at the Mohamed VI University Hospital.
“Gabi sustained a fracture of the mid-shaft of her left leg during the fixture against Nigeria and underwent a successful surgery,” said Banyana Banyana team doctor Lindi Mokoena in a statement released by the South African Football Association (SAFA).
“She will be out of action for the rest of the year, but we are pleased that she received exceptional care from the medical team of Banyana Banyana, CAF, and the hospital staff.”
The incident drew widespread sympathy and support. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also extended words of comfort to Salgado, commending her bravery and resilience.
“Today, our thoughts are with Banyana Banyana’s Gabriela Salgado as we wish her a comfortable and speedy recovery from her traumatic injury,” Ramaphosa said.
“I know you’re a woman of deep and public faith, Gabriela, and a woman of bravery and skill on the pitch. The nation wishes you well.”
In a gesture widely praised across the continent, the Super Falcons of Nigeria visited Salgado in hospital after the match, reinforcing the power of football to unite beyond rivalries.
Before their visit, the Nigerian team had already sent her messages of support via social media.
Their act of kindness struck a chord globally, as fans lauded both teams for exemplifying the values of compassion and unity in the face of adversity.
As former South African President Nelson Mandela once said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”
Indeed, the events in Casablanca proved once again that football is more than just a game—it is a powerful force for humanity.
-CAFonline
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By Kunle Solaja.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been postponed, with Africa’s football governing body announcing new dates for the tournament in Morocco.
The Confederation of African Football confirmed that the 2026 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will now take place from 25 July to 16 August 2026, instead of the earlier scheduled dates of 17 March to 3 April 2026.
Morocco was awarded the hosting rights for the continental showpiece in October 2024, with preparations already underway for what is expected to be one of the biggest editions of the competition. It doubles as the qualification tournament for the Women’s World Cup, as the top four finishers will feature in the global event.
CAF said the decision to move the tournament followed consultations with FIFA and other key stakeholders.
In a statement, CAF explained that the adjustment was made “to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances.”
Although the organisation did not elaborate on the nature of those circumstances, the rescheduling shifts the tournament to the traditional mid-year international football window, which is often more favourable for player availability and logistics.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s flagship women’s football competition and serves as a crucial platform for the development and visibility of the women’s game in Africa.
Morocco, which successfully hosted the 2022 edition of the tournament, is expected to leverage its modern stadium infrastructure and growing reputation as a major football events destination to deliver another high-profile competition.
CAF expressed confidence that the revised schedule will allow all stakeholders to adequately prepare for the tournament.
“Preparations for the WAFCON 2026 are underway, and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful,” the governing body stated.
The tournament will bring together Africa’s top women’s national teams competing for continental supremacy, with the rescheduling expected to give organisers additional time to ensure optimal preparations for the event.
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The Confederation of African Football has announced that it will issue an official communication within the next 48 hours regarding the situation surrounding the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026.
In a brief message posted on social media, CAF indicated that the matter has been under extensive discussion in recent weeks and is currently receiving urgent attention at the highest levels of the organisation.
“CAF will communicate within the next 48 hours on the situation regarding the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON26. There have been several discussions over the past weeks. The matter is receiving urgent and high-level attention,” the confederation stated.
Although CAF did not provide specific details about the issue under review, the statement suggests that senior officials within the continental governing body are working toward a resolution.
The development has sparked anticipation across the African football community, particularly among national teams preparing for the women’s continental championship.
The Confederation of African Football is expected to clarify the circumstances and outline the next steps for the tournament when it releases its official update within the stipulated timeframe.
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Reigning African champions Nigeria produced a commanding response, defeating Cameroon 3–1 on Tuesday in the second of their pre-WAFCON international friendlies in Yaounde.
Three days after suffering a narrow 1–0 loss at the Military Stadium, the Super Falcons returned to the same venue. They delivered a far more assured performance, underlining their pedigree as perennial continental powerhouses.
Head Coach Justin Madugu rang the changes, making seven alterations to the starting line-up that featured in Saturday’s defeat. However, it was Cameroon who struck first again, netting in the seventh minute to momentarily raise concerns of a repeat setback.
Nigeria responded with composure and growing authority.
Forward Chinwendu Ihezuo restored parity in the 32nd minute, rising above her marker to power home a header from a well-delivered cross by Rinsola Babajide. The equaliser settled the Falcons, who began to dictate tempo and press with greater coordination.
Just before the break, the comeback was completed. After a scramble inside the Cameroonian box, Babajide reacted quickest to fire home in the 43rd minute, turning provider into scorer to give Nigeria a 2–1 lead at halftime.
Madugu’s reshaped midfield proved decisive, pressing higher up the pitch, shutting down central channels and forcing the Lionesses into speculative long balls.
The Falcons extended their advantage in the 64th minute. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, influential down the right flank, delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area. Michelle Alozie attacked the ball with conviction, launching into a flying header that made it 3–1 and effectively sealed the contest.
Both sides treated the two-match series as crucial preparation for the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
For Nigeria, the emphatic victory not only avenged Saturday’s defeat but also reaffirmed their status as Africa’s benchmark in women’s football heading into the continental showpiece.
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