South Africas Womens 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 Mondays Group B opener against Tanzania as part of Banyana Banyanas squad in Casablanca, Morocco, marking a significant moment for LGBTQ representation in African football. Known as the Moodaly-Salgados after taking each others 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 Salgados journey has been intertwined both on and off the football pitch. The couple are teammates at JVW FC, the South African womens 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 Africas 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 Africas 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 Womens 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 womens international football involved former United States national team players Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris, who played together after marrying in 2019. South Africas 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. The couple are also not alone in representing LGBTQ players within the squad. Defender Bambanani Mbane, who scored South Africas equaliser against Tanzania, is married to Tsholo Makgaleme and has often credited her familys support as a source of strength. Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, the current national team number one and former African Womens 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 Womens 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 Africas 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.



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