WAFCON Winners, Nigeria, visited injured Gabriela Salgado in hospital, gifting her a signed team shirt in a heartwarming show of sportsmanship.
Casablanca, Morocco (27 July 2025) – In football, the spotlight often shines on goals, trophies, and rivalries. But sometimes, it is the quiet, human moments that leave the deepest impression.
In a powerful display of unity and sportsmanship, players from Nigeria’s Super Falcons visited Banyana Banyana’s Gabriela Salgado at the Mohamed VI University Hospital in Casablanca, following the injury she sustained during their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 semi-final clash.
Carrying a signed Nigerian national team T-shirt, the players made their way to Salgado’s bedside to offer their support and well-wishes. The gesture left a lasting impression. A reminder that football is about more than rivalry, it is about respect and humanity.
Salgado was forced off the pitch late in the second half of the intense semi-final match between South Africa and Nigeria. She suffered a fractured mid-shaft in her left leg during a heavy collision and had to be stretchered off as medical staff rushed to assist.
The 27-year-old underwent successful surgery the following day and remains hospitalised as she begins her road to recovery. According to Banyana Banyana team doctor Lindi Mokoena, the operation went well, and Salgado is receiving excellent care from both CAF and hospital staff.
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Salgado’s WAFCON appearance was a victory in itself. After missing 2022, she worked her way back and showed exactly why perseverance matters. There is absolutely no doubt she will be back.
That significance was not lost on the Nigerian players, who put the result aside to reach out with compassion. Their visit highlighted the spirit of women’s football on the African continent.
In a game that brought drama, intensity, and emotion, it was this quiet moment of kindness that stole the spotlight, showing once again that true champions are measured by the respect they show, even to their fiercest opponents.
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