Rwandan referee Salima Mukansanga becomes the first woman to officiate African Cup

Rwandan referee Salima Mukansanga. Getty Images

 

As the African cup of Nations continues, another history is on the way as a woman referee set to stage at Cameroon.

 

Rwandan referee Salima Mukansanga set to become the first woman to officiate a match at the Africa Cup of Nations. Her resume is quite impressive;

• Olympics
• Women’s World Cup
• Africa Women’s Cup of Nations
• CAF Women’s Champions League

AFCON, the top international association football competition in Africa since 1957. From 1968 has been held every two years.

 

CAF listed 63 match officials ready to officiate the tournament and among them is Rwandan Salima Mukansanga.

 
Salima is one of the top four female match officials listed. Others are; Carine Atemzabong (Cameroon), Fatiha Jermoumi (Morocco), and Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco).

However, Mukansanga will become the first woman to officiate as a centre referee at the Africa Cup of Nations. The others will be on the lines as the match continues.

 

Salima was an official at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.