Three women referees will officiate for the first time at a men’s football competition – the 2019 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (U-17 AFCON) in Tanzania, Completesports.com reports.
The trio of Jonesia Rukyaa Kabakana who hails from Tanzania, Kenya’s Mary Wanjiru Njoroge and Lidwine Rakotozafinoro from Madagascar were among the 29- match officials listed by the Confederation of African Football for the 2019 U-17 AFCON.
Basheer Salisu is the only Nigerian referee on the list for the competition.
“The historic decision is a testament to CAF’s commitment to developing the women’s football,” CAF said in a statement on its official website.
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“It will also give women match officials a bigger platform to expose their talents and also gain experience at the competitive level considering the limited matches and competitions which often affects their progress and development.”
The 29 referees will attend a training course ahead of preparation for the tournament in Morocco scheduled to hold from March 31 to April 4 2019 in Morocco.
During the course, 15 referees and 14 assistant referees from 25 countries will undergo a medical, physical and theoretical test for the 2019 U-17 AFCON final tournament scheduled for April 14 to 28 2019 in Tanzania.
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will compete in Group A along with hosts Tanzania, Angola and Uganda.
Guinea, Cameroon, Morocco and Senegal are in Group B.
By Adeboye Amosu
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