WAFCON 2026: Married couple Robyn Moodaly and Gabriela Salgado make history for South Africa

South Africa’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign began with disappointment on the pitch, but the tournament witnessed a landmark moment off it as married couple Robyn Moodaly and Gabriela Salgado became the first spouses to feature together in the history of the continental competition.

The pair started and finished Monday’s Group B opener against Tanzania as part of Banyana Banyana’s squad in Casablanca, Morocco, marking a significant moment for LGBTQ representation in African football.

Known as the Moodaly-Salgados after taking each other’s surnames following their wedding in November 2025, the couple entered the history books while representing the reigning African champions.

However, the historic appearance was overshadowed by a frustrating result, with South Africa falling to a late Tanzania goal in a 2-1 defeat.

A love story that reached the WAFCON stage

Moodaly and Salgado’s journey has been intertwined both on and off the football pitch.

The couple are teammates at JVW FC, the South African women’s professional club co-founded by former Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk, who has openly spoken about her sexuality since her teenage years.

Both players have been key figures in South Africa’s national team for several years.

At 32, Moodaly brings significant international experience, having represented Banyana Banyana at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games before being part of the historic squad that won South Africa’s first WAFCON title in 2022.

Salgado, who is almost four years younger than her wife, earned her first national team call-up in 2017 and has also been a regular presence in major tournaments. She featured alongside Moodaly at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where South Africa reached the knockout stage for the first time.

Their appearance together at WAFCON represents a rare moment in international football, where married couples playing alongside each other remains uncommon.

The only other known example in women’s international football involved former United States national team players Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris, who played together after marrying in 2019.

South Africa’s football pioneers

The Moodaly-Salgados’ achievement carries additional significance because South Africa remains the only country in Africa with legalised same-sex marriage and one of the few on the continent with constitutional protections for LGBTQ rights.

Their story has been celebrated by several South African media outlets as a reflection of the country’s evolving sporting landscape and Banyana Banyana’s reputation as one of Africa’s most inclusive national teams.

The couple are also not alone in representing LGBTQ players within the squad.

Defender Bambanani Mbane, who scored South Africa’s equaliser against Tanzania, is married to Tsholo Makgaleme and has often credited her family’s support as a source of strength.

Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, the current national team number one and former African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, married her partner Lulama Mokuni in December 2025.

Captain Refiloe Jane is married to sports administrator Christa Kgamphe, while forward Thembi Kgatlana, a former African Women’s Player of the Year, got engaged to Abongile Diana in 2023.

Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart and midfielder Nhlanhla Mthandi are also among players in the squad who have openly shared their relationships.

Historic night ends in WAFCON setback

While the Moodaly-Salgados created history, South Africa’s opening fixture did not deliver the result they wanted.

Moodaly was named in the starting lineup but was replaced at halftime after the teams went into the break level at 1-1.

Salgado entered the game in the 71st minute but could not prevent Tanzania from scoring a decisive late winner.

The defeat leaves the defending champions facing a difficult challenge in Group B, where they may now need victories over Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso to secure progression to the quarter-finals.

Despite the setback, the significance of the Moodaly-Salgados’ appearance will remain long after the final whistle of WAFCON 2026.

Their moment in Morocco represents more than a football milestone; it is a symbol of changing attitudes, inclusion and the growing influence of LGBTQ athletes in African sport.