Super Falcons midfielder Christy Ucheibe was almost moved to tears when she saw Banyana Banyana’s Gabriela Salgado suffer a horrific injury during Nigeria’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final win over South Africa, Footynaija.com reports.
With the scores tied at 1-1, the game took a sour turn in the 84th minute when a Super Falcons player caught Salgado while both teams contested a loose ball inside South Africa’s penalty area, sending her crashing to the turf in evident agony.
The seriousness of the injury was immediately obvious as most of the players around the horror scene looked away in shock after seeing Salgado’s leg, while South Africa’s players urgently called for medical assistance from the sidelines.
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“Everyone was emotional inside the pitch, I was about to cry but it was one of those things,” said Ucheibe, who had come on as a second half substitute to replace Onyinyechi Echegini.
“There’s nothing we can do, we can’t pull it back. I wish her quick recovery and success in the operation. That’s all I can say.”
Nigeria eventually won the game in stoppage-time after Michelle Alozie’s 35-yard strike found its way into the net. Reacting to the win, Ucheibe couldn’t hide her excitement.
“Amazing players. I love them so much. We put up a good fight and I’m happy. Everyone is happy,” she told AdemolaVictorTV.
“The joy is so much that I don’t even know how to express myself. I give God all the glory for all he has done and also for the strength and everything, I just thank God.”
After booking their place in the final, the Super Falcons are just one match away from accomplishing Mission X. It will be no easy task though as they must overcome host nation Morocco to clinch that 10th WAFCON crown.
