AFCON 2023: Female Referees take Centre Stage, The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off on January 13, will bring together match officials from more than 30 African countries. The full list of officials includes 26 referees, 30 assistant referees and 12 video assistant referees (VAR).
It is worth noting that the inclusion of diversity and gender representation is evident, as five female referees have secured a place on the judging team. This marks a major step towards inclusion in African football, reflecting the growing participation and recognition of female referees at the highest levels of the game.
The participation of the female referees demonstrates the commitment of gender equality in football, and their presence in the prestigious competition increases the importance of their contribution to the beautiful game. As the CAN 2023 championship continues, various groups of match officials will play. a key role in ensuring fair and impartial refereeing in the continent’s biggest football event.
AFCON 2023: Female Referees take Centre Stage
Bouchra Karboubi, from Morocco, is the only female referee in charge of the tournament. In 2022, she became the first female Arab referee to officiate the final of a men’s tournament. She started refereeing in the Moroccan women’s division at the age of 19 and became an international referee in 2016.
Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda is a certified match official who participated in the FIFA Men’s World Cup. In 2022, she became the first female referee at the Africa Cup of Nations and has officiated at various prestigious tournaments including the Olympics and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
South Africa’s Akhona Makalima will be the VAR official at the 2023 men’s AFCON in Ivory Coast. She has been a FIFA international referee since 2014 and participated in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Maria Rivet, from Mauritius, will be one of three female referees working in the VAR room at the tournament. He was the fourth official of the CAN 2022 women’s final and also refereed the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Diana Chikotesha of Zambia will be the first female referee from Zambia to participate in the men’s Africa Cup of Nations as an assistant referee. She also participated in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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