Namibia referee ‘in shock’ to officiate WAFCON final

Referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa says she is in shock as the reality sinks in that she will become the first Namibian to officiate in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the line-up of the officiating panel for the final between Nigeria’s Super Falcons and Morocco in Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses on Saturday. In reaction, Twanyanyukwa told CAF’s media team that she was still coming to terms with the big assignment ahead.

“I didn’t expect this at all; I’m still in shock. But with God, all things are possible,” she told CAF media.

 “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.”

Twanyanyukwa will be assisted by Rwandan Alice Umutesi as the first assistant referee, and Tabara Mbodji (Senegal) as second assistant referee.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) booth comprises Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga, the first woman to officiate at the AFCON finals in 2022, Letticia Viana (Eswatini) as AVAR 1 and Diana Chikotesha (Zambia) as AVAR 2.

CAF Head of Refereeing, Desire Noumandiez Doue, has since said the selection of the officiating panel was merit-based informed by their consistent quality and performance.

“It is the result of their hard work, both in training and in the matches they’ve officiated, as well as their overall readiness,” Desire told CAF.

“Antsino for instance, has demonstrated all the qualities we look for. We’ve been monitoring her closely for the past three years, and she has done incredibly well. At the rate she is going, she’s certainly a potential candidate for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

Referee: Antsino Twanyanyukwa (Namibia)

1^st Assistant Referee:  Alice Umutesi (Rwanda)

2^nd Assistant Referee: Tabara Mbodji (Senegal)

VAR Team:

Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda)

Litticia Viana (Eswatini)

Diana Chikotesha (Zambia)