Banyana star praises rivals Nigeria for great gesture after Salgado’s injury

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Banyana Banyana star Lebohang Ramalepe has lauded the sporting gesture displayed by their rivals Nigeria following the freak injury sustained by her team-mate Gabriela Salgado.

Salgado suffered a horrific injury in the latter stages of South Africa’s 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Nigeria, when both sides were tied 1-1.

As Salgado lay on the ground in pain, it was evident that it was not just an ordinary injury going by the reaction of both sets of players as they were left distraught, some covering their heads in their jerseys while others were in tears.

Ramalepe lauds Nigeria’s great sporting gesture

The match resumed after Salgado had been stretchered off but it was clear that the injury had taken its toll on South Africa as they conceded an easy second goal when Nigeria defender Michelle Alozie scored from an easy cross in the box that rolled into the net.

“Yeah, it’s their team spirit, after all, we’re all friends,” Ramalepe told Nigerian outlet Soccernet.ng after the match, while reflecting on how Nigeria reacted to the injury.

“In the field of play, we just have to fight against each other, but you know, when something like that happens, we just have to be there for one another. I think what they did was just really great,”

Nigeria and Banyana Banyana players react to Gabriela Salgados injury during their WAFCON match.

It has since been revealed that Salgado broke her left leg after the collision with Super Falcons forward Chinwendu Ihezuo and will now be out for the rest of the year after undergoing surgery.

What is the extent of Gabriela Salgado’s injury?

“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,” said Banyana Banyana team doctor, Dr Lindi Mokoena, as per 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.

Gabriela Salgado injured Banyana Banyana

“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.”

Salgado was making her first start at the 2024 tournament having missed the 2022 edition due to injury. 

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.