Mid-shaft fracture rules Salgado out of action for a year

Banyana Banyana’s loss to Nigeria’s Super Falcons in the semi-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will be one that all who watched the match will never forget. Apart from the match being an entertaining contest that saw the West Africans clinch a 2-1 victory to make it into their tenth final at the continental showpiece, it will be remembered for the horrific injury that was suffered by Banyana player, Gabriela Salgado.

Salgado went down in the 84th minute with what looked to be a career threatening injury that sent the players around her into state of disbelief.

What a freak accident. 😭 Speedy recovery to Salgado. 🙏

📹: @SuperSportTV pic.twitter.com/cUyL2A0WKH

— Mamelodi Sundowns Sharpeville Branch® (@MS_Sharpeville) July 22, 2025

SAFA confirmed that Salgado suffered a serious injury during the match and was immediately taken to the hospital for further assessment.

She’s now undergone surgery and will be out for the rest of the year due to the mid-shaft fracture to her left leg.

According to the football association, the operation went well. Salgado will stay with the team once she’s released from hospital and will return home next week with her colleagues.

“Gabi sustained a fracture of the mid-shaft of her left leg during the fixture against Nigeria and underwent a successful surgery at the Mohamed VI University Hospital in Casablanca. 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. We were fully confident and comfortable with the procedure being performed in Morocco and would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to CAF and the dedicated staff at the Mohamed VI University Hospital for their professionalism and outstanding support during this time,” said Banyana Banyana team doctor, Dr Lindi Mokoena.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Super Falcons of Nigeria are among those who have sent their messages of support to Salgado.

“Today, our thoughts are with Banyana Banyana’s @G_Salgado9 as we wish Gabriela a comfortable and speedy recovery from her traumatic injury in last night’s WAFCON semi-final against a victorious Nigeria. I know you’re a woman of deep and public faith, Gabriela, and you’re a woman of bravery and skill on the pitch. The nation wishes you well,” the President says in a statement.

Before the news of surgery emerged, Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis, conceded that the injury was a major blow to her team.

“From the players’ reactions, it was definitely bad. But I haven’t seen the medical report yet,” she said.

Banyana Banyana have been given the day off and will return to action on Thursday to conclude preparations for the final match of the tournament.

They face Ghana in the third and fourth place play-off at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca at 9pm South African time (8pm local time in Morocco).

[WATCH] @Banyana_Banyana striker Gabriella Salgado is also here to show support to her teammates.

Salgado sustained an arm injury just before the #WAFCON2022 squad was announced and missed out on the tournament.#BanyanaBanyana #BanyanaBanyanaVictory pic.twitter.com/l012MfXeJG

— Ntsako Mkhari (@Ntsako_Mkhari_) July 26, 2022