The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has selected Nigerian referee Yemisi Akintoye as one of the match officials for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), marking a significant milestone in her officiating career.
CAF announced Akintoye’s inclusion after she successfully completed the confederation’s medical, physical fitness and technical assessments required for officials selected for the tournament.
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The appointment represents a major achievement for Akintoye, who became a FIFA-badged referee in 2021 and will officiate at Africa’s premier women’s football competition for the first time.
The 2026 WAFCON finals will take place in Morocco from Sunday, July 26, to Sunday, August 16, bringing together the continent’s top women’s national teams.
Akintoye’s selection adds to Nigeria’s growing presence in African football officiating and highlights the progress of female referees gaining recognition on major international platforms.
CAF’s decision reflects the increasing focus on strengthening the quality and diversity of match officials across women’s football competitions.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will enter the tournament as defending champions after winning the previous edition, continuing their record as one of Africa’s most successful women’s football teams.
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Akintoye’s participation at WAFCON 2026 will provide another opportunity for Nigerian officials to contribute to the growth and professional development of women’s football across the continent.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
