South Africa’s opening Group B match against Tanzania at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations produced a historic milestone as married couple Robyn Moodaly and Gabriela Salgado became the first spouses to play together in the same WAFCON match.
The landmark feat was recorded during Banyana Banyana’s tournament opener on Monday, making it the first time in the history of Africa’s premier women’s football competition that a married couple has featured in the same game.
Since its inception in 1991, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has evolved into the continent’s biggest women’s football tournament, with the 2026 edition adding another memorable chapter through the appearance of Moodaly and Salgado.
Both players are established members of South Africa’s senior women’s national team and have become two of the country’s most recognisable footballers, openly sharing their relationship with supporters over the years.
Their joint appearance has also highlighted the growing inclusiveness of women’s football while adding another significant moment to South Africa’s rich history in the competition.
Moodaly and Salgado have represented Banyana Banyana at several major international tournaments and remain key members of the reigning African champions as they pursue another successful WAFCON campaign.
The achievement has attracted widespread attention from football fans across the continent, with many describing it as a landmark moment for African women’s football.
Moodaly is an attacking midfielder renowned for her creativity and technical ability, while Salgado plays as a forward. Salgado, who was born in Johannesburg to a Portuguese father and a Lebanese mother, earned her first senior national team call-up in January 2017 and later helped South Africa win the 2020 COSAFA Women’s Championship by scoring the decisive goal in the final.
She suffered a fractured left leg during the semi-final against Nigeria in July 2025, ruling her out for the remainder of that year, but has since returned to action.
At club level, Moodaly plays for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, while Salgado represents Tigres UANL Femenil in Mexico. Their appearance together at WAFCON marks a unique milestone in African football history and reflects the increasing visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes in the women’s game.
