Rubin Mudali-Salgado and Gabriela Salgado Enter WAFCON History as First Couple

South African internationals Rubin Mudali-Salgado and Gabriela Salgado have made their mark on the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) history by becoming the first married couple to play together in a tournament.

Historic Moment at WAFCON

This significant moment occurred during the opening group stage match between Banyana Banyana and Tanzania at the WAFCON 2026 tournament in Casablanca. This event marked a historic milestone for women's football in Africa.

Match Participation Details

The couple, who married in 2025 and play together at JWV FC, took the field as South Africa defended its title. Despite Banyana Banyana experiencing disappointment by losing to Tigana Stars 2-1, this day represented a significant achievement both personally for them and for the sport.

Rubin Mudali-Salgado started in the team, occupying the position of attacking midfielder alongside striker Thembi Kgatlana. Gabriela Salgado returned to the continental football level in the 70th minute, coming on as a substitute in her usual number 9 jersey.

Previous Experience and Injuries

For Salgado, appearing on the pitch carried added emotional significance. She debuted in 2024 but suffered a serious leg fracture during the semi-final against Nigeria. This injury kept her out of Banyana Banyana's successful campaign in Morocco, where Mudali-Salgado was part of the squad that won South Africa's first continental title by defeating the hosts in the final.

Significance of Playing Together

Now, gathered again at the largest African arena, the couple has added a unique chapter to WAFCON history. Their joint participation not only celebrates their journey as partners off the field but also underscores the continuous growth and visibility of women's football across the continent.

As the tournament progresses, Mudali-Salgado will hope to help Banyana Banyana recover from the first-match defeat and continue the fight for continental recognition, inspiring fans with their remarkable story.

iol.co.zaJuly 25, 07:00

Banyana Banyana team begins participation in WAFCON in Morocco, aiming for new achievements

The Banyana Banyana team is preparing for the start of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament in Morocco. The team's goal is to win a second African women's championship title in three tournaments, as well as qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Team Prospects and Motivation

The South African national team is among the 16 participating countries. The four best teams in the tournament will guarantee themselves a spot in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Coach Dezi Ellis is focused on maintaining the title won in 2022, but many players on the team are approaching significant personal milestones with the national team.

Player Achievements

Midfielder Linda Motlalo is just one match away from reaching 100 appearances for Banyana Banyana, which will allow her to enter the elite group of South African international footballers. The player, based in Scotland, shared memories of the beginning of her journey under the guidance of former coach Vera Pau. According to the latest FIFA rankings, Sasol Banyana Banyana ranks 57th in the world ranking and 2nd in the CAF ranking in Africa.

Motlalo recounted that she first joined the senior national team at the age of 16 as a training player before making her debut against Cameroon in 2016. She noted that she did not experience difficulties because she remembered all the training sessions conducted in 2015 and understood that coach Vera knew when she was ready. Previously, the graduate of the High Performance Centre represented South Africa in two FIFA Women's World Cups and the Olympics, and also played a key role in Banyana's historic victory at WAFCON four years ago.

Goals for the Tournament

Her main goal now is to win another continental title. Motlalo stated that any team playing against them will give 120%, and she is confident in her team's readiness for any opponent. She emphasized the importance of the first match, as it sets the tone for the entire tournament. She also noted that the atmosphere in the camp is very good, and although the main focus is on the World Cup, the ultimate goal is to win gold regardless of the outcome.

Other Players Approaching Milestones

Motlalo is not the only one approaching an important milestone. Gabriela Salgado needs only two matches to reach 50 games after an impressive return from a serious injury sustained at the previous WAFCON. Forward Hilda Magaia, whose brace in the 2022 final secured South Africa's first continental title, is only three matches away from this same milestone. Versatile defender Bongeka Gamede is also close to a significant achievement, needing six more matches to reach fifty caps for the national team.

Start of the Group Stage

However, these personal achievements will be secondary, as Banyana will begin its group stage with a match against Tanzania, followed by encounters with Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. Since a place in the World Cup is also at stake, a successful campaign at WAFCON will strengthen South Africa's position among the continent's elite and add a new memorable chapter to one of the country's greatest football stories.