Linda Motlhalo Heads Banyana Banyana Quartet Chasing WAFCON 2026 Milestones
Sasol Banyana Banyana will be among 16 nations chasing continental glory at the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026), with four South African players closing in on major milestones when the tournament kicks off at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, on Sunday, 26 July 2026.
Beyond the gold medal, a battle is brewing for the top four spots, which will guarantee passage to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year, and for South Africa there is an added sense of pride awaiting the quartet of Linda Motlhalo, Gabriela Salgado-Moodaly, Hildah Magaia and Bongeka Gamede.
Midfield sensation Motlhalo sits on 99 appearances, just one cap from joining an elite group of 12 Banyana Banyana players who have clocked a century or more in national team colours.
“It’s such an honour that I know I’m going to be on 100 caps soon, an amazing feeling and it’s that thing of me remembering my first cap when coach Vera (Pauw) gave me the opportunity at the age of 17,” said a beaming Motlhalo.
“Now you’re on number 100, it’s such an honour. It’s been a long journey, a lot of ups and downs, but it has been a beautiful one.”
Banyana Banyana No. 10, Linda Motlhalo
The Scotland-based penalty specialist scored on debut against Cameroon in March 2016.
“But let me take it back to 2015, before 2016. I was with Banyana Banyana at the age of 16 actually and training with the likes of many of the players that I looked up to. I was very patient and I think also coach Vera was very patient with me, and she made me understand that now it’s not the time for me to be able to play with the senior players, I was a training player,” added Motlhalo.
“So, when 2016 happened, when I got my first cap against Cameroon, I didn’t even struggle because I remembered all the training sessions that I did back in 2015. That’s when I understood that coach Vera knew when I was ready.”
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Born in Rietvlei, Randfontein, Motlhalo spent her early development years at the High-Performance Centre in Pretoria, graduating from the U17 national team before captaining the U20 side. She has gone on to feature at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and at two senior FIFA Women’s World Cups, in France in 2019 and in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
A WAFCON winner in 2022, she is targeting another gold in Morocco, where South Africa must navigate Group B against Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.
“Every team that plays against us they go for 120%, but I think we are ready for any team that we’re going to face. The first game is the most important one because it sets the tone to the tournament. The energy in camp is really good and obviously the main focus is the World Cup, but the biggest thing is we’re going for gold regardless of what happens,” said Motlhalo.
Likely to join Motlhalo in reaching a momentous milestone is Gabriela Salgado-Moodaly, who has played 48 games and is just two away from the 50-cap mark. The winger made headlines last year when she was injured in the semi-final against Nigeria at the previous edition and faced a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
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Also on the verge of glory is goal poacher Hildah Magaia, who was instrumental in the 2022 WAFCON triumph, scoring both goals in the final against hosts Morocco as Banyana Banyana lifted a maiden continental trophy. Known as the Breadwinner, Magaia sits on 47 caps.
Comfortable in defence and midfield, Bongeka Gamede has made 44 appearances and is just six shy of a half-century.
The Sasol Banyana Banyana WAFCON 2026 Group B Campaign at the Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca:
Mon 27 July, 19h00: South Africa vs. Tanzania
Fri 31 July, 19h00: South Africa vs. Côte d’Ivoire
Tue 4 August, 22h00: South Africa vs. Burkina Faso
All times CAT
Banyana Banyana 100+ Caps
Janine van Wyk (retired), 185 caps, 12 goals
Noko Matlou (retired), 174 caps, 66 goals
Nompumelelo Nyandeni (retired), 150 caps, 39 goals
Refiloe Jane, 150 caps, 17 goals
Nothando Vilakazi, 137 caps, 7 goals
Portia Modise (retired), 124 caps, 101 goals
Mamello Makhabane, 121 caps, 22 goals
Lebohang Ramalepe, 120 caps, 5 goals
Jermaine Seoposenwe (retired), 112 caps, 25 goals
Amanda Dlamini (retired), 105 caps, 24 goals
Bambanani Mbane, 103 caps, 5 goals
Leandra Smeda, 100 caps, 22 goals
Banyana Banyana 50+ Caps
Linda Motlhalo, 99 caps, 25 goals
Thembi Kgatlana, 88 caps, 33 goals
Andile Dlamini (GK), 86 caps, 0 goals
Sanah Mollo, 73 caps, 21 goals
Noxolo Cesane, 60 caps, 6 goals
Kaylin Swart (GK), 54 caps, 0 goals
Kholosa Biyana, 53 caps, 2 goals
Karabo Dhlamini, 52 caps, 1 goal
Possible Milestones
Gabriela Salgado-Moodaly, 48 caps, 8 goals
Hildah Magaia, 47 caps, 23 goals
Bongeka Gamede, 44 caps, 1 goal
Original Copy: SAFA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Linda Motlhalo stands one cap from a Banyana Banyana century as WAFCON 2026 kicks off in Morocco, with Gabriela Salgado-Moodaly, Hildah Magaia and Bongeka Gamede all closing in on 50 appearances for South Africa. Photo: SAFA
Crédito: Link de origem