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For the first time, an African Cup of Nations (CAN) match is refereed by a woman. Rwandan Salima Rhadia Mukansanga officiates as central referee during the meeting between Guinea and Zimbabwe on Tuesday. Three other women will assist him.
Rwandan Salima Rhadia Mukansanga writes a new line in the history of African football, Tuesday, January 18, by becoming the first woman to referee an African Cup of Nations match during the meeting between Guinea and Zimbabwe, in Yaoundé .
Cameroonian Carine Atemzabong and Moroccan Fatiha Jermoumi are also assisting him, and the head of video refereeing is Moroccan Bouchra Karboubi. “This is the first time that an all-female team will referee a CAN match,” the Confederation of African Football said in a statement.
Rwandan referee Salima Rhadia #Mukansanga will go down in history in the next few hours by becoming the first woman to referee a match in the final phase of the #CAN. Mukansanga will lead the all-female refereeing corps for the Zimbabwe-Mali match.#CAN2021 pic.twitter.com/GRXeHCkXCJ
– Arryadia TV (@arryadiatv) January 17, 2022
“She worked hard to be there”
At 35, Salima Rhadia Mukansanga already has a long experience behind her. Last week, she became the first female fourth referee of a CAN match in Guinea-Malawi.
For CAF director of referees, Eddy Maillet, this is a historic moment: “We are extremely proud of Salima because she has worked hard to be where she is today. We know that she has had to overcome serious obstacles to reach this level and she deserves credit,” he said. in a press release.
From basketball to soccer ball
However, as told by the Ivorian press agency, Salima Rhadia Mukansanga was first attracted by the orange ball. “I loved basketball and wanted to take it very seriously, but access to basketball facilities and coaches was difficult. That’s how I ended up refereeing, which I don’t I have never regretted it”, she explained to the AIP.
The young woman first launched her career in a few matches in the Rwandan men’s second division and in women’s matches, before being promoted in 2012 by CAF and taking part in matches on the continent, but as an assistant referee.
Two years later, she officiated for the first time as a central referee during an international match, for a Zambia-Tanzania in qualifying for the 2014 African Women’s Championship. “It’s thanks to the way I managed this match that I proved my ability to officiate at any level on the continent. It was an exciting experience. Since that day, I have been trusted to officiate countless international matches in Africa and the beyond,” recalls Salima Mukansanga.
In the years that followed, the young referee only progressed to become central referee at the Women’s World Cup organized in 2019 in France. “Officiating at the World Cup is the dream of any referee, especially when you come from a country like mine where women’s football is still very low. I feel privileged for the opportunity”, she summarizes.
Salima Rhadia Mukansanga was also present this summer at the Tokyo Olympics as a field referee during the Olympic football tournament. A flawless course that should create vocations. “This moment is not only for Salima but for every young girl in Africa who has a passion for football and who sees herself as a referee in the future”, insisted Eddy Maillet.
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