Nigerian FIFA-badged referee Yemisi Akintoye has been officially selected to officiate at the upcoming 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26.

 

Akintoye, a distinguished member of the Lagos State Referees Football Council, will serve as one of the 18 center referees chosen for Africa’s premier women’s football tournament. She is the sole Nigerian among the 46 officials named by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which includes 18 referees, 18 assistant referees, and 10 video assistant referees (VARs).

 

The 2024 WAFCON selection further cements Akintoye’s reputation as one of the continent’s top female referees. She earned her FIFA badge in 2022 and has since built an impressive officiating résumé, featuring key appearances at the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament and the WAFU Women’s Champions League.

 

Her selection is seen as a significant recognition of her consistency, professionalism, and contribution to the growth of women’s football officiating in Nigeria and beyond.

 

The WAFCON 2024 tournament will gather Africa’s top women’s national teams in Morocco, promising intense competition and high-level football over three weeks. As anticipation builds, Akintoye’s inclusion on the officiating panel is a source of pride for Nigerian football and a testament to the growing stature of female referees in the game.