Ellis promises WAFCON medal for Salgado as South Africa face Ghana

South Africa women’s national team head coach Dr Desiree Ellis has vowed to deliver a medal for injured player Gabby Salgado when they take on Ghana in a third-place play-off of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco on Friday.

Banyana Banyana will play in the clash to fight for the bronze medal after losing to Nigeria 2-1 in the semifinals. Ahead of the fixture at Stade Larbi Zaouli, Ellis has promised to beat Ghana and give injured Salgado a medal from the tournament.

The winger was stretchered off late in the second half following an accident during the defeat against the Super Falcons on Tuesday. Salgado, who underwent a successful surgery, remains in hospital while she recuperates and will stay with the team upon release.

“Most definitely, there’s disappointment with not getting to the final of course but there’s still something to play for and that is important. It’s not just the medal but like I said we’re going to try and do this for Gabriela,” said Ellis as quoted by SAFA website.

“She is going home with an injury, we will make sure that she gets a medal because it’s important that we still fight for the third place, so there’s still something to play for, it’s not just a playoff match that doesn’t mean anything. It’s a playoff match that gets you a medal and I think it’s going to be important how we lift ourselves up after this and then get ready for that match.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Amogelang Motau has been ruled out of the tournament following an injury she sustained against Senegal where she came on as a second half substitute but was then withdrawn at the start of extra-time.

She missed the semi-final clash against Nigeria and will take no part against Ghana in the bronze medal match on Friday.