Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda and Akhona Makalima of South Africa are among the 12 African referees selected for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
- Nigeria did not have a referee among those selected for the Women’s World Cup
- Rwanda’s Mukansanga and South Africa’s Makalima among the top names
- Africa will have 12 referees in Australia and New Zealand
WHAT HAPPENED? Mukansanga, who made history by becoming the first female referee from Africa to referee the men’s World Cup in Qatar, was selected among the central referees along with Makalima, Vincentia Amedome (Togo) and Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco).
Cameroon’s Carine Atezambong, Diana Chikotesha (Zambia), Moroccan duo Soukaina Hamdi and Fatiha Jermoumi, Mali’s Fanta Kone, Kenya’s Mary Njoroge and Mauritania’s Queency Victoire are the assistant referees, while Adil Zourak will act as video assistant referee ( VAR).
Mukansanga and Makalima are among the most experienced referees in Africa. The first broke the glass ceiling in 2022 when she became the first referee from the continent to take charge of the Africa Cup of Nations before her big assignment in Qatar.
Meanwhile, Makalima is well-respected in South Africa, where she has officiated in the PSL since 2014, while her international assignments include the Caf Champions League and the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
WHAT DID THEY SAY? “As always, the criteria we have used is ‘quality first’ and the selected match officials on the pitch represent the highest level of refereeing worldwide,” said FIFA Referees Committee Chairman Pierluigi. hill.
THE LARGEST PHOTOGRAPH: Nigeria, who will be represented by the Super Falcons in the world tournament in Australia and New Zealand, was left out of the list of referees published by FIFA on Monday.
It is a continuation of the loss of major referee assignments in the West African nation with the 2023 squad a greater number compared to 2019 when Africa had just two central referees.
African champions South Africa, beaten finalists Morocco, Zambia, Wafcon 2022 bronze winners and nine-time continental champions Nigeria will fly the African flag at the World Cup, scheduled for June 20-August 20.
IN TWO PHOTOS:
BackpagePix
WHATS NEXT? The referees will now be under heavy security ahead of the tournament with observers eager to see if their selection was deserved.
