South Africa's Gabriela Salgado opens up on devastating WAFCON 2024 injury ordeal

As Africa prepares for another defining chapter in women’s football, the journey of Gabriela Salgado stands as a powerful reminder that success in sport is often shaped not only by talent but by resilience.

Banyana Banyana forward, who represents the 2022 African champions, South Africa, has experienced both the thrill of global football and the heartbreak of devastating injuries. Yet through every setback, Salgado has remained steadfast in her pursuit of excellence and her commitment to representing her country.

However, the road has not been straightforward. Injuries at critical moments threatened to derail her progress, including a fractured shoulder that ruled her out of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and a horrific leg injury during a semifinal clash against Nigeria at the 2024 campaign.

 

Instead of breaking her spirit, those moments reshaped her perspective, strengthening her mentally and deepening her appreciation for the game, as shared in this exclusive interview with CAFOnline.com.

Now focused on returning stronger and helping Banyana Banyana defend their continental status while pursuing qualification for the next global stage, the JVW star’s aspiration is about perseverance, belief, and the determination to inspire others who face adversity.

Gabriela Salgado:  I started at a very young age. My elder brother introduced me to football. Ever since then, I grew up to love the game. I was fortunate enough to go to the Performance Centre in Pretoria, where I got introduced to the national U-17 and U-20 teams and then Banyana Banyana. It wasn’t my goal to go professional because, at a younger age, women’s football didn’t have the opportunities we have now. We have grown in women’s football. It’s so good that everyone who came before us is fighting for us and perhaps paved the way forward. Now, the future generations, including myself, are inspired to play professional football. In South Africa, we have the HollywoodBet Super League, and if you win that league, we go to the COSAFA, from there to the CAF Women’s Champions League, which is inspirational. There are also international club friendlies. It’s incredible the way forward in women’s football.

My journey has not been easy. It’s been very challenging with the injuries I faced, especially coming around the WAFCON. In 2022, I got injured a day before playing a club game, before the team could leave for the tournament. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go due to fracturing my shoulder. It was a bittersweet moment because we went on to win that tournament. It taught me resilience and mental strength to push and focus on getting to the next WAFCON, which I managed to do, and unfortunately, I suffered another injury against Nigeria in the semifinals. I must say it’s been very challenging, but it made me who I am. It made me stronger. In football, injuries are part of the game, and I learned that it makes you stronger and teaches you more about the game and to appreciate it more. I am just looking forward to what the future holds for me, as I face a lot of bad things now, hopefully, fingers crossed, and going forward, it will be a brighter journey. I hope one day my journey can inspire others that faced the same situation never to give up. It also comes down to mental strength playing a very big role in where I am now. It wasn’t easy the last seven months getting back to my full fitness to make sure I am part of the national team, but it was hard work, resilience, and dedication, and just believing in your goal and dream will take you where you need to go.

Being part of JVW for many years now, a club owned by Janine Van Wyk. Being able to learn from Van Wyk, being an inspiration and idol in women’s football, has been an honour. She was our head coach last season. I have worked with her since I was young, before going to the Performance Centre and being part of the club since. I have learned from her, Janine Van Wyk. I have played with her in the national team as well. It’s been her experience and guidance. She has been doing a lot for women’s football, paving the way for young girls who have the dream. She now coaches overseas, which is a massive opening of doors not only as a player but as a coach as well. I was fortunate enough to be coached under her.

Definitely, equality is something we still fight for today. But we have come a long way. The game has changed. We have to give credit to women’s football. We have to celebrate the ones who have been before me. The struggles they have been through and fought for are things I don’t have to fight for. I think we have improved a lot as women that we are deserving of being in the sport. We have received support but we want equality and recognition. These things come way before me. It’s getting there.

The first injury was a shoulder fracture. It was nothing compared to the one I faced recently during the last WAFCON. I think it has been the biggest challenge fracturing my tibia. Breaking my leg in another country where English is not a common language, but more French. When I got injured in the semifinals against Nigeria, it was a moment I don’t think I will ever forget. The injury made me grow on and off the field as a player and as a person. I have to trust my body again. Mentally, it was very tasking but thanks to my support system, friends, family, teammates, and other teams showing their support as well as the supporters generally across the country. I remembered being stretched off the field, and everyone shouting my name was something that gave me hope that I needed to keep fighting and recover to come back, because no matter what one faces in life, it’s up to you if you want to give up or keep going. My rehabilitation was about seven months of which I underwent two surgeries. One after my injury on the 23rd of July, and then I got married. Two days later, I had another surgery to remove a screw in my ankle, which prevented me from progressing with my rehabilitation. I must say that I am grateful for the injury, the lessons I have learned, and what I have taken away from it. We have feelings that injuries are all bad and take you away from the game, but they gave me another perspective on life. Fortunately, I still have to play the sports I love. Waking up every day and training to compete at the highest level is definitely what I don’t take for granted. I hope my journey inspires others. At the end of the day, I don’t play for myself but for everyone. For the girls out there that have a dream or those who have lost hope, I just wish to inspire and bring hope to those who love football.

Coming back from this injury, I have worked really very hard. I prepared myself to make the next WAFCON squad. Just being on the field again will bring great joy to me. It will remind me of all the sacrifices and hard work I put in at a time when I got injured in 2022, and being part of the recent WAFCON 2024. It will show that I have done it and never gave up. Being part of this one [WAFCON 2026] will be even more special. I know I have more of an impact on many people, players, and young girls who look up to me. I am not playing for myself but for the badge, my country, and future generations, and for the ones that have been there before.

Every tournament is very important, and we don’t take anyone lightly, but the next WAFCON is a World Cup Qualifier. Being part of the World Cup in 2023, I got a taste, so I know how important it is, as well as my teammates. I just want to be the best form of myself so that I can continue contributing to my team. I hope to be part of the team that can bring the WAFCON home. I missed the WAFCON in 2022, and we hit a hiccup in 2024. Hopefully, at this WAFCON 2026, we can qualify for the World Cup, and I can get a gold medal. That’s my goal. I will be working hard so that I can contribute to the team. I hope for a successful tournament.

It will definitely be difficult and won’t be an easy challenge, but as Banyana Banyana, we are made for challenges, tough route. We have overcome a lot through our unity, strength, and resilience. Nothing comes easy. We will definitely be putting in the work towards the gold medal.

My mentor is Amanda Dlamini. She is an inspiration to many. On and off the pitch, she is a pioneer and an incredible player. The impact she left, I remembered watching her. She’s been guiding me. I am just grateful for the women we have around us who are really inspiring.

My appearance at the 2023 World Cup against Sweden was my defining moment. It was crazy. The stadium was incredible. The fans and atmosphere are something I cherished and want to feel that experience again. Hopefully, we can qualify and secondly, the WAFCON. It wasn’t easy to get to where I was. It took a lot of hard work and patience. Our squad is filled with a lot of superstars. The WAFCON experience is such an incredible moment.