Nigerian referee Yemisi Eunice Akintoye has been chosen as one of the 18 officials appointed by CAF to officiate at the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which is set to occur in Morocco from July 5 to 26, 2025. Akintoye, affiliated with the Lagos State Football Referees Council, secured her position due to her commendable performance at the WAFCON preparatory course conducted earlier this month in Cairo, Egypt.
The course included comprehensive technical assessments, physical fitness evaluations, and decision-making tests under conditions simulating actual matches. Her selection represents a significant achievement in her refereeing career, placing her among the elite referees from across the continent, including internationally recognised figures such as Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga.
Akintoye, who received her FIFA referee badge in 2021, has previously officiated at prestigious tournaments, including the WAFU Women’s Champions League and the CAF Women’s Champions League.
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WAFCON 2025 will bring together the top women’s national teams in Africa, and Akintoye’s appointment underscores Nigeria’s increasing influence in the advancement of elite female referees on the continent.
Yemisi is a well-known name, having been recognised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as one of the elite referees selected for specialised training in preparation for the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON). According to a report from footballlive, CAF organised the training course that took place from June 9th to June 13th, 2024, in Morocco, the host nation for the biennial event.
It was also noted that Akintoye was the sole Nigerian on the distinguished list, highlighting her status as one of the continent’s leading referees. This training initiative was designed to ensure the highest standards of officiating for the forthcoming tournament.
