Ellis wary of fatigue ahead of Banyana semifinal clash against Nigeria
Ellis praised Banyana's resilience against Senegal and hopes to see the same against Nigeria.
'We have been practising penalties and we knew who our kickers were going to be and that's why we made the changes we made. We always knew Andile could save one or two; she had done [that] before.
'This was our first penalty shoot-out victory in the Wafcon. We lost it in the 2006 and 2018 finals. I don't have enough words to describe this team — the resilience, the courage, the never-say-die attitude and the willingness to fight for each other.
'No matter what they threw at us, we were able to withstand it.'
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Salgado was successfully operated on at Mohammed VI University Hospital in Casablanca, but is likely to spend six months on the sidelines. Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said she had to play a different role for distraught Banyana players — like midfielder Linda Motlhalo — when they could not keep hold of their emotions after Salgado's horror injury on Tuesday. 'I was a mother, and I was just trying to say to her, 'Stay calm, just do that for Gabi'. That was the talk: 'Do that for Gabi and make sure you get over the line for Gabi', because that's what it was all about at that moment. 'It was very difficult to keep them calm because a lot of them broke down. Going back onto the field I think some were still crying and I think that's really what got to them.'
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Banyana Banyana want to at least come back from the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) with the bronze medal in honour of injured teammate Gabriela Salgado. Salgado suffered a broken leg as the defending champions relinquished their crown to nine-time champions Nigeria with a 2-1 semifinal defeat in Casablanca, Morocco on Tuesday. Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said they will dedicate Friday's third-place playoff game to Salgado and play for the bronze when they meet Ghana, losers on penalties in their semifinal against Morocco, at Casablanca's Stade Larbi Zaouli on Friday (9pm). The final between the hosts and Super Falcons is at Stade Olympique de Rabat on Saturday (10pm). Salgado was successfully operated on at Mohammed VI University Hospital in Casablanca, but is likely to spend six months on the sidelines. Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said she had to play a different role for distraught Banyana players — like midfielder Linda Motlhalo — when they could not keep hold of their emotions after Salgado's horror injury on Tuesday. 'I was a mother, and I was just trying to say to her, 'Stay calm, just do that for Gabi'. That was the talk: 'Do that for Gabi and make sure you get over the line for Gabi', because that's what it was all about at that moment. 'It was very difficult to keep them calm because a lot of them broke down. Going back onto the field I think some were still crying and I think that's really what got to them.' 🏆 𝕎𝔸𝔽ℂ𝕆ℕ 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟜 🏆 ⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Nigeria restore their lead against Banyana Banyana. 🇳🇬 2⃣➖1⃣ 🇿🇦 🚨 LIVE 📺 SABC Sport | SABC 3 📱 #SABCSportFootball #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 22, 2025 Saslgado's injury came late in the semifinal with the scores at 1-1 and minutes later Banyana conceded a fluke-ish goal when Michelle Azolie's speculative cross evaded Nigeria's attackers and Banyana's defenders and goalkeeper Andile Dlamini for the 94th-minute decider. Ellis accepted South Africa had failed to defend their trophy but said she is hoping her players will have recovered enough to focus and win Friday's match against Ghana. 'Look there's nothing we can do. There's two days — a recovery day and two days. Again, when we huddled after the game we said if we didn't have a reason [to win on Friday], now have a reason to play for Gabi. 'That's what it [the third-place game] is all about, to make sure she goes off with a medal and to make sure Jermaine Seoposenwe [who retires from international football after Wafcon] also goes off well. That's how important it is.' Banyana have an advantage in that they have already defeated Ghana 2-0 in this tournament in their round-robin stage opener, where Motlhalo and Seoposenwe provided the goals to set up Banyana topping Group C. Ghana also progressed to the last 8 as they finished second after their 4-1 victory over Tanzania in their final group match. The Black Queens improve as the tournament progressed and beat Algeria on penalties in the quarterfinals to set up their semifinal against Morocco, who they pushed all the way with a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes before being defeated by spot-kicks. So the Black Queens Banyana face on Feriday night should be a notably stronger combination from the side they faced in the opening game in Oujda. But Banyana have an advantage in that they didn't have to travel after their defeat against Nigeria, but Ghana had to move from Rabat to Casablanca.
The Citizen
5 hours ago
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Banyana star Salgado on the mend after successful surgery
Salgado will be out of action for the rest of the year. Injured Banyana Banyana utility player Gabriela Salgado underwent a successful operation at the Mohamed VI University Hospital in Casablanca, Morocco, on Wednesday. Salgado was stretchered off following a serious injury during the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semifinal clash against Nigeria at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium on Tuesday, which was lost 2-1 by South Africa. ALSO READ: Ellis blames Salgado injury for Banyana's WAFCON loss Banyana team doctor, Dr Lindi Mokoena, says following the operation, Salgado will be out of action for the rest of the year. '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. 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,' Mokoena told SAFA media. 'We were fully confident and comfortable with the procedure that was 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.' Banyana and Super Falcons visit Salgado in hospital Salgado's Banyana Banyana teammates visited her at the hospital on Tuesday night after she had been stabilised following the injury. Meanwhile, in a show of sportsmanship, some Nigerian players also went to the hospital to visit Salgado on Wednesday and presented her with a signed Super Falcon jersey. 'The entire Super Falcons of Nigeria family, from players and coaches to staff were profoundly saddened to learn of the serious injury sustained by Gabriela Salgado during yesterday's match. Our immediate thoughts are solely with her for comfort, care, and the recovery journey ahead,' read a statement from the Super Falcons team. 'We are holding Gabriela, her teammates, her family and close friends in our hearts, sending our deepest wishes for strength and resilience. Our immediate focus, and our enduring concern, is solely for her wellbeing, comfort, and recovery. 'The spirit of competition instantly fades in moments like these, replaced by a shared sense of care for a fellow athlete. As fellow members of this football community, The Super Falcons NGR stands firmly alongside Banyana Banyana in solidarity and support. Our collective wish is for Gabriela's steady healing, renewed strength, and a return to the pitch when she is ready, surrounded by the unwavering support of the team and community. With sincere sympathy and solidarity,' Banyana were given the day off and returned training on Thursday to conclude preparations for the third-place playoff match against Ghana at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca tonight (kick-off is at 9pm SA time).
