South Africa’s 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign began with a historic milestone off the pitch as married couple Robyn Moodaly and Gabriela Salgado became the first spouses to play together in the tournament’s history.
The duo started and completed Banyana Banyana’s Group B opener against Tanzania on Monday in Casablanca, Morocco, marking a landmark moment in the history of the continental competition.
Known as the Moodaly-Salgados after adopting each other’s surnames following their wedding in November 2025, the pair wrote their names into the WAFCON record books while representing the reigning African champions.
Their historic achievement, however, was overshadowed by South Africa’s disappointing start to the tournament, as Banyana Banyana suffered a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania after conceding a late goal.
Despite the result, the appearance of Moodaly and Salgado marked a memorable moment in WAFCON history, highlighting another milestone for representation in African women’s football.
