PHOTOS: Meet Robyn Moodaly, Gabriela Salgado: First Married Couple to Play Together in WAFCON History

• Robyn Moodaly and Gabriela Salgado have become the first married couple to play together in a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match after featuring for South Africa against Tanzania at the 2026 WAFCON.

South African footballers Robyn Moodaly and Gabriela Salgado have etched their names into the history books after becoming the first married couple to play together in a match at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The historic milestone was recorded during South Africa’s opening Group B fixture against Tanzania at the 2026 WAFCON, making it the first time spouses have featured in the same match since the tournament was established in 1991.

The achievement has attracted widespread attention across the football community, with fans celebrating the couple for breaking new ground in African women’s football.

Moodaly and Salgado are both key members of Banyana Banyana, South Africa’s senior women’s national team, and have represented the country in several major international competitions.

Their appearance together adds another memorable chapter to South Africa’s impressive WAFCON history as the reigning African champions pursue another continental title.

The couple have never hidden their relationship from fans, often sharing moments from their personal and professional lives on social media.

Beyond making tournament history, their achievement also reflects the continued growth, diversity and inclusiveness of women’s football on the African continent.

Who Are Robyn Moodaly and Gabriela Salgado?

1. First married couple in WAFCON history

Robyn Moodaly and Gabriela Salgado are the first married couple ever to play together in the same Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match.

2. They made history against Tanzania

The milestone came during South Africa’s Group B opener against Tanzania on July 27, 2026.

3. Both represent Banyana Banyana

The pair are regular members of South Africa’s senior women’s national football team.

4. Robyn Moodaly is an attacking midfielder

Moodaly is known for her creativity, vision and technical ability in midfield.

5. Gabriela Salgado is a striker

Salgado has represented South Africa at several major international tournaments and is regarded as one of the country’s talented forwards.

6. Salgado has a multicultural background

She was born in Johannesburg to a Portuguese father and a Lebanese mother.

7. She received her first national team call-up in 2017

Salgado was first invited to the senior national team on January 22, 2017, for a match against France.

8. COSAFA champion

She was part of South Africa’s squad that won the 2020 COSAFA Women’s Championship.

9. Match-winning hero

Salgado scored the winning goal in the final that secured South Africa’s seventh COSAFA Women’s Championship title.

10. Injury setback

In July 2025, she suffered a fractured left leg during the WAFCON semi-final against Nigeria, ruling her out for the remainder of that year.

11. They are publicly married

The football stars have openly shared their marriage and relationship with supporters on social media.

12. Both have enjoyed successful international careers

They have been among the leading figures in South Africa’s recent generation of women’s footballers.

13. They play club football in different countries

Robyn Moodaly plays for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, while Gabriela Salgado plays for Tigres UANL Femenil in Mexico.

14. A landmark for African women’s football

Their joint appearance at the 2026 WAFCON represents a unique milestone in African football history and highlights the growing visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ athletes in women’s football.

Their historic appearance is expected to be remembered as one of the defining moments of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and another sign of the continued progress of women’s football across Africa.

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