Salima Mukansanga, Africa’s first female referee to officiate an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) match, has announced her retirement from refereeing.
Mukansanga, 36, was born in Rwanda and began her journey as a FIFA-listed referee in 2012.
She made history when she became the first woman to officiate at the 2022 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, leading an all-woman officiating team of Fatiha Jermoumi (Morocco), Carine Atemzabong (Cameroon), and Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco) as the VAR.
Salima announced her retirement on Tuesday morning in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
She also officiated at the Olympics, FIFA Women’s World Cup, Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, and CAF Women’s Champions League.
Her achievements have paved the way for more women in football officiating, and her contributions to the game will be remembered across Africa and beyond.
