AFCON 2021: meet Salima Mukansanga – the inspiring high profile lone female referee who is set for history

The Africa Cup of Nations 2021 tournament, the 33rd edition of Africa’s flagship football tournament is set to commence on Sunday, January 9, and fans across the continent will be thrilled by the sight of Rwandan referee Salima Mukansanga, who is set to make history.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the list of 63 match officials who will officiate at the tournament featuring four female referees, and notable among them is Rwandan Salima Mukansanga.

The female quartet include Salima Mukasanga of Rwanda, Cameroonian Carine Atemzabong, Fatiha Jermoumi and Bouchra Karboubi both of Morocco. While Bouchra Karboubi goes to the tournament as VAR referee, Carine Atemzabong, Fatiha Jermoumi will grace the tournament as assistant referees.

Stealing the headlines across the globe is Rwandan refereeing star, Salima Mukansanga. The 33-year old is set to make history at the AFCON as she is set to become the first woman ever to officiate as a center referee at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mukansanga was part of the officiating officials at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France among other international competitions.

The super talented Rwandan is best remembered by Ghanaians after she officiated the CAF Women’s Champions League semi final game between Ghana’s Hasaacas Ladies and Moroccan side AS Far Rabat when the Ghanaian side won by 2-1 to reach the final of the competition.

As the only female centre referee at the 2021 AFCON tournament, Salima Mukasanga is already stealing the headlines across the continent as she is set to set a record for herself.