CAF Appoints Namibia’s Referee To Handle WAFCON 2024 Final

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Namibia’s Antsino Twanyanyukwa to officiate the TotalEnergies 2024 WAFCON final, taking place this Saturday in Morocco.

Antsino, who has emerged as one of the standout performers among match officials during the tournament, will make history as the first Namibian to officiate a WAFCON final. Her steady leadership, consistency, and calm control of matches have earned her this prestigious honour.

She will be assisted by Alice Umutesi of Rwanda as Assistant Referee 1, and Tabara Mbodji of Senegal as Assistant Referee 2, both of whom have been praised for their sharp decision-making and composure throughout the tournament.

“I didn’t expect this at all; I’m still in shock. But with God, all things are possible,” said Antsino. “WAFCON is a major competition, and expectations are high. We have to approach it with the mindset that the entire continent is watching and give our absolute best.

“Personally, I believe I have the talent and the potential. They’ve seen what I can do, and now it’s my opportunity to prove myself and showcase it on the pitch.”

In the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) booth, another iconic figure leads the charge. Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga, a pioneer in global football officiating and one of the most respected figures in the women’s game, will serve as the VAR.

Mukansanga made headlines as the first woman to officiate at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2022 and has brought her experience from the Olympics and FIFA Women’s World Cups to the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024, once again.

Supporting her in this final are Letticia Viana (Eswatini) as AVAR 1 and Diana Chikotesha (Zambia) as AVAR 2, both rising stars in Africa’s officiating ranks.

Antsino has officiated several key matches, impressing CAF’s Technical and Refereeing Committee with her ability to remain poised in high-pressure situations. Her most recent performance showcased her exceptional fitness and match control, both vital in the modern game.

CAF Head of Refereeing, Desire Noumandiez Doue, praised her appointment. “Their selection was based on their consistent quality and performance,” stated Desire. “It is the result of their hard work, both in training and in the matches they’ve officiated, as well as their overall readiness.”