The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will be without the services of the influential Gabriela Salgado at the upcoming 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations tournament after she suffered an injury that will see her out of action for close to eight weeks.
The AWCON tournament is scheduled from 2-23 July in Morocco.
Banyana Banyana is due to report for camp tomorrow (Friday, 10 June) and Salgado had been named in the preliminary group of 33 players for the upcoming competition, leaving head coach Desiree Ellis with a headache before she announces her final squad.
She played a crucial part in helping South Africa qualify for the AWCON.
The JVW midfielder was playing for her club in a Hollywoodbets Super League fixture against Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies on Wednesday night (8 June 2022) when she fell awkwardly and broke her collarbone.
The Blue Diamonds lost the match 1-0 at the Sturrock Park Wits Stadium.
Gabby, as she is commonly known among her peers, has been in prolific form for both JVW and Banyana Banyana.
At club level, the former U20 National Team player was a vital cog in the resurgence of JVW, leading them to top the log standings before currently pace setters Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies returned to the summit.
Salgado scored seven goals in 10 games for the Blue Diamonds.
She is not the player in the sick bay at the club.
Defender Erin Herz suffered an allergic reaction after being stung by a bee when the team arrived at the stadium for the Celtic fixture.
Also nursing an assortment of injuries are Nokwazi Mnomiya (forward), Jade Leask (midfielder), Isabella Ludwig (midfielder), Norma Ntsibande (defender) and Alochia Lelaka (midfielder).
JVW played their last match on Wednesday (8 June) due to the upcoming international break – and this will be welcome news to the club as action will only resume after the AWCON tournament.
By Matlhomola Morake
