Salima Mukansanga became the first woman to referee an Africa Cup of Nations match. (AP photo)
The first woman to referee an Africa Cup of Nations match is confident that it will soon become common to see a female official in charge at major men’s tournaments.
- AFP
- Last Update:22 Jan 2022, 16:45 IST
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The first woman to referee an Africa Cup of Nations match is confident that it will soon be normal to see a female official in charge at the biggest men’s international tournament on the continent. “This is an occasion when we have to start working hard and move on. This is just the beginning and after that AFCON will probably be a second level next,” Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga told reporters in Douala on Friday. She made history when she played in the Group B clash between Guinea and Zimbabwe in Yaounde earlier this week. Took command of.
She was expected to be joined by two female assistant referees, Cameroon’s Karine Atemzabong and Morocco’s Fatiha Jermoumi.
However, when officials entered the pitch for the match at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in the Cameroonian capital, both assistant referees were men.
The last 32 editions of major African tournaments since 1957 were refereeed exclusively by men.
Earlier Mukansanga was the fourth official when Guinea defeated Malawi on 10 January at Baphosam.
“We are not here out of favor or by chance, but because we deserved to be here,” he said at Friday’s event organized by the Confederation of African Football.
“It is a privilege. It is a pleasure for me and other African female referees.
“This is now an opportunity to open the door and show all women in Africa that they are capable and can reach that level.”
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