Casablanca: The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has extended its congratulations to Banyana Banyana for their commendable performance at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) held in Morocco. Despite their 1-2 defeat to Nigeria in the semi-final match on Tuesday night, the team has received praise for their efforts throughout the tournament.
According to South African Government News Agency, the semi-final match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca was marked by a significant injury to Gabriela Salgado in the 83rd minute. The South African Football Association (SAFA) reported that the incident had a notable impact on the Banyana Banyana players and the entire South African bench, affecting their ability to recover and perform to their full potential.
SAFA President, Dr. Danny Jordaan, expressed his wishes for Salgado's swift recovery and praised the team for their brave performance. He acknowledged the resilience shown by Banyana Banyana, stating, "You have established yourselves as one of the best teams on the continent." Dr. Jordaan also extended his gratitude to the team's Head of Delegation, Thabile Msomi, coach Dr. Desiree Ellis, captain Refiloe Jane, and all the players for their dedication and hard work.
The Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which started on 5 July, is set to conclude on 26 July 2025.