11 Jan 2022

Salima Mukansanga made her debut as the first woman official at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament during a Group B game between Guinea and Malawi on Monday.

The 33-year-old from Rwanda was part of the officiating team for the game played at Kouekong Stadium, Cameroon.

Mukansanga followed the footstep of French referee, Stephanie Frappart, who became the first woman to officiate at the UEFA Champions League game between Dynamo Kiev and Juventus.

Frapparts also officiated in the UEFA Super Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea in 2019.

Mukansanga, who passed a fitness test, officiated high profile tournament amongst them FIFA women’s World Cup, Olympics and CAF Women’s Championship League.

International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) executive board member, Game Mothibi, said Mukansanga inclusion at the AFCON was great news and victory for women football.

“We congratulate Mukansanga and hope her accomplishment will be an inspiration to the girl child.  It will encourage and show leaders that women are equally capable,” she said.

Mothibi said it was about time stakeholders stopped giving women opportunities as charity work or favour, but should be given work on the basis that they were equally capable . ENDS