Meet 33-Year Old Salima Mukansanga, First Woman to Officiate at African Cup of Nations

Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga will make history at the African Cup of Nations as the first woman to ever referee at the tournament. Mukansanga is part of the FIFA International Referees List – making her qualified to officiate at international level and wear a FIFA badge on her uniform.

The 33-year-old is already an experienced and well-respected official in the women’s game, having taken charge of matches at the Women’s World Cup, Africa Women’s Cup of Nations and the CAF Women’s Champions League.

And now, the Rwandan referee has been given the opportunity to take charge of matches at one of men’s football’s major international tournaments.