The Confederation of African Football has appointed Namibia’s Antsino Twanyanyukwa as the centre referee for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final, which will see Nigeria take on hosts Morocco.
This historic assignment marks a milestone for Twanyanyukwa, who becomes the first Namibian ever to officiate a WAFCON final.
Her composed approach to officiating, consistent decision-making, and calm presence on the pitch earned her the top job on the continent’s biggest stage in women’s football.
Throughout the tournament, Antsino impressed CAF’s Technical and Refereeing Committee by managing high-stakes matches with poise and professionalism.
“I didn’t expect this at all; I’m still in shock. But with God, all things are possible,” she told CAFonline.
“WAFCON is a major competition, and expectations are high. We have to go in with the mindset that the whole continent is watching and give our absolute best.
“Personally, I believe I have the talent and the potential. They’ve seen what I can do, and now it’s my opportunity to prove it; to show it on the pitch.”
Antsino will be flanked by an experienced officiating crew, including Assistant Referee 1 Alice Umutesi from Rwanda and Assistant Referee 2 Tabara Mbodji of Senegal.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team will be led by none other than Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga, a trailblazer in African and global football.
Mukansanga, who became the first woman to officiate a men’s Africa Cup of Nations match in 2022, brings her vast experience from the Olympics and FIFA Women’s World Cups to this year’s final.
Assisting Mukansanga are two emerging officiating talents: Letticia Viana of Eswatini (AVAR 1) and Zambia’s Diana Chikotesha (AVAR 2), both of whom are gaining recognition across the continent.
The final promises not only a thrilling contest on the field but also a celebration of progress in African women’s football, both in play and in officiating.