Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has come out to reveal that midfielder Robyn Moodaly-Salgado was a victim of cyberbullying as she battled with mental health.
The 32-year-old JVW FC star is part of the Banyana squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations [WAFCON], which runs from July 26 to August 16 in Morocco. Moodaly Salgado returns to the national side after a break of almost three years.
She stepped away from international football in October 2023, citing a personal decision “to take care of my mental well-being.” The hiatus came two months after she had helped Banyana make history by reaching the knockouts of the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
The 2022 WAFCON winner is now back as South Africa bid to reclaim the continental crown in Morocco. Banyana are in Group B together with Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania. They kick off the tournament by facing Tanzania at Moulay Rachid Stadium on Monday, 27 July 2026.
DESIREE ELLIS ON WHAT MOODALY-SALGADO’S RETURN MEANS FOR BANYANA BANYANA
Ellis has disclosed that Moodaly-Salgado was a victim of cyberbullying, and she struggled with mental health issues. But the coach highlights how the midfielder’s experience is what Banyana needs going into the continental tournament.
“I’m not going to go into much detail. A lot of people said she retired. She didn’t retire. She took a break due to mental health and cyberbullying,” Ellis addressed the media recently.
“And I read something the other day that somebody posted and said, ‘be kinder to everyone because they’re also human beings’. “I’m not saying don’t criticise, but I’m saying think of it that could be your sister, could be your brother, could be your mother, you know, because at the end of the day, no one sets out onto the field to have a bad game. No one sets out onto the field to lose a match.
“So, you know, we’re just happy that she’s back. You know, she’s been fantastic in the [Super League] league. She’s probably been one of the players who have carried the team [JVW Ladies]. So we’re really happy to have her in the national set-up.
“I think it adds a little bit more experience. As I said, we have a couple of players who are under the age of 23. You know, Asanda’s [Hadebe] coming to the squad for the first time, as well as Nthabiseng [Majiya], as well as Zoe [October], you know, as well as Isabella [Ludwig].”
RELATED STORY: Desiree Ellis banking on fresh legs for WAFCON gold
