Exclusive: ‘Really great’ Super Falcons response to Gabby Salgado horror injury praised by Banyana star

Gabriela Salgado picked up an injury during Super Falcons' semi-final clash against the Banyana Banyana of South Africa…

South Africa utility player Lebohang Ramalepe has lauded the behaviour of Nigeria’s Super Falcons after Banyana Banyana forward Gabriela Salgado suffered a gnarly leg injury during Tuesday’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semifinal in Casablanca.

Salgado was involved in a horror collision with Super Falcons forward Chinwendu Ihezuo during the latter stages of the knockout clash, and was duly stretchered off with a suspected broken leg.

Players from both sides were seen in visible dismay at the brutal nature of the injury, as Salgado’s leg was clearly distorted as she crumpled to the pitch in agony.

South Africa's Gabriela Salgado appeared to have suffered a serious injury during their WAFCON semifinal against Nigeria, leaving players visibly distraught after witnessing the incident.

Both teams came together to console her as she was stretchered off ❤️ pic.twitter.com/46xiAA8pv6

— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) July 22, 2025

Classy response to Gabby Salgado's leg break

However, match-winner Michelle Alozie had the presence of mind to console Salgado as she was stretchered from the field of play, in a classy gesture which wasn’t lost on Ramalepe and her Banyana teammates.

“Yeah, it’s their team spirit, after all, we’re all friends,” she told Soccernet.ng after the match. “In the field of play, we just have to fight against each other, but you know, when something like that happens, we just have to be there for one another.

“I think what they did was just really great,”

Nigeria fullback Ashleigh Plumptre put her head in her hands in distress when she saw the extent of Salgado’s injury, while Banyana Banyana midfielder Linda Motlhalo sought out head coach Desiree Ellis for consolation after being visibly distraught by the stricken forward.

Yet, Alozie’s gesture, and further support from the rest of the Falcons players was graciously received by their Banyana counterparts.

Falcons skipper Rasheedat Ajibade had put Nigeria ahead from the penalty spot late in the first half after Bambanani Mbane was deemed to have handled in the box, but Motlhalo equalised on the hour mark — also from the spot — after Osinachi Ohale hauled down Hildah Magaia.

Ellis’s side had looked the more likely winners as the contest had worn on, with Noxolo Cesane having an effort saved off the line after getting the better of Chiamaka Nnadozie shortly before Salgado’s injury.

Super Falcons reach WAFCON final

Banyana, still shellshocked by what had happened to their number nine, struggled to re-focus on the match in the aftermath of the injury, with Alozie scoring a freak winner in stoppage time with a long-range cross that evaded everyone in the box — including goalkeeper Andile Dlamini — to nestle into the South Africa net.

Nigeria now advance to meet hosts Morocco in Saturday’s final, while 2022 winners South Africa will square off with Ghana in Friday’s third-placed playoff.