Banyana Banyana's Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado grateful for return after six-month injury layoff

Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado is full of gratitude after finally making her return to competitive football during Banyana Banyana’s ongoing COSAFA Championship in Polokwane this weekend.

Moodaly-Salgado had been sidelined for the last six months after sustaining a broken leg during Banyana’s 2–1 defeat to Nigeria at the WAFCON semi-final last year.

Such was the serious nature of Moodaly-Salgado’s injury that she had to undergo surgery during the global showpiece in Morocco before flying back home with the rest of the team after they finished fourth.

Moodaly-Salgado’s stint on the sidelines was nerve-wracking, as she had to deal with the reality of being away from the sport that has consumed the better part of her life.

But thanks to a strong mentality and support from her teammates, medical personnel and family – including her wife, Robyn Moodaly, whom she tied the knot with late last year – Moodaly-Salgado returned to football when Banyana beat Malawi 2–0 in their COSAFA opener at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.

The JVW striker, speaking to Safa media this week, revealed what it meant to finally be back on the pitch after some time on the sidelines.

“It changed my perspective on life as a whole, and the game,” Moodaly-Salgado said. “It really taught me that as a player, you need to appreciate where you are.

“Hard work, resilience and discipline can take you anywhere. You must just continue believing.”

While she may have made her cameo in the latter part of the game, Moodaly-Salgado revealed how she felt when coach Desiree Ellis told her to warm up.

“There were definitely a lot of emotions,” Moodaly-Salgado said. “It was because this was the moment that I was working towards.”

Moodaly-Salgado’s return to action via COSAFA is timely. She not only got a chance to settle in a less pressured environment, but it also allows her to be on Ellis’ radar for the crucial WAFCON next month.

Banyana will feature at the upcoming WAFCON in Morocco, eager to finish in the top four, as that would secure their ticket back to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2027 – an event every footballer dreams of being part of.

“I obviously got injured at the last WAFCON, and I knew the next one was coming up. I just didn’t know when my return would be,” Moodaly-Salgado explained.

“I am just grateful to know that I can use COSAFA to get the emotions out of the way. It will help me to focus on the bigger picture.”

While recovery processes differ with every injury and athlete, Moodaly-Salgado has shared advice for anyone who might find herself in a similar situation, as she did.

“Trust the process. I know that it’s not easy,” Moodaly-Salgado said. “I was fortunate to have a very strong support system.

“Be patient with yourself. Allow yourself to go through the emotions. Don’t give up – injuries are part of football, and they can be used to inspire.”

While Moodaly-Salgado said she is open to lending a helping hand – particularly through advice – to anyone who reaches out to her about recovery, her immediate focus is on regaining familiarity with competitive football and helping Banyana at COSAFA.

Banyana will face Angola in their second group-stage match in Polokwane on Saturday, and a win would qualify them for the next round of the competition with a game to spare.

Given that she’s part of the 38-member COSAFA squad in alignment with WAFCON preparations, Moodaly-Salgado will plenty to be grateful for if she returns to the continental finals next month.

*Mihlali Baleka is Independent Media's senior football reporter and a panelist on the group's soccer podcast, The D-Line, which is exclusive on our YouTube channel The Clutch