WAFCON 2024: South Africa’s Banyana Banyana ‘Mentally and Physically Ready’ for Nigeria Clash – Gabriela Salgado

Story written (By Okafor Chinonso Myra | July 22, 2025):
Casablanca, Morocco — July 22, 2025 – Ahead of their highly anticipated semifinal showdown against Nigeria’s Super Falcons, South African midfielder Gabriela Salgado has stated that Banyana Banyana are fully prepared both mentally and physically to face the reigning African giants.

Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Salgado acknowledged that the semifinal fixture will be a major challenge but emphasized the reigning champions’ determination to rise to the occasion.

“We know we’re heading into a very tough semifinal game. Nigeria is always a strong opponent, but we are physically and mentally prepared for what lies ahead,” Salgado said confidently.

High-Stakes Semifinal in Casablanca

The crunch encounter between South Africa and Nigeria is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. The winner will secure a coveted spot in the WAFCON 2024 final, where they will face either host nation Morocco or Ghana on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

South Africa Eyes Second WAFCON Title

Banyana Banyana are seeking to defend their WAFCON title, having won the tournament for the first time in their history in 2022. A victory against Nigeria would not only reaffirm their continental dominance but also take them one step closer to making history with back-to-back titles.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons, on the other hand, remain the most successful team in the tournament’s history and are determined to reclaim their crown after missing out in the previous edition.

Final Thoughts

With both sides boasting world-class talent and a fierce rivalry, Tuesday’s semifinal promises to be a thrilling contest. As Salgado noted, preparation and mental toughness could make the difference in what is expected to be one of the standout matches of WAFCON 2024.