Nigeria’s Yemisi Akintoye has secured a spot on the official list of 18 referees selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2025 in Morocco. This marks a significant return after Nigerian match officials were absent from major African tournaments for nearly two decades.
Akintoye, lauded for her experience and professionalism, will participate in VAR training before the tournament—part of CAF’s broader initiative to modernise officiating standards. The inclusion underscores CAF’s message that Nigerian referees are “good but need to do more” to reach elite levels.
Alongside Akintoye, the Nigeria Football Federation recently awarded FIFA badges to 30 referees and assistants 22 men and 8 women as part of efforts to reinvigorate the national refereeing programme.
Akintoye’s appointment reflects the growing confidence in Nigeria’s match officials and marks a positive step toward restoring their presence at the highest levels of African football.
Editorial
We warmly welcome Yemisi Akintoye’s selection for WAFCON 2025 an achievement that rekindles Nigeria’s voice in elite women’s football. For too long, our referees have remained unseen at continental finals, not for lack of ability but due to structural lapses. This breakthrough is not just personal it is national.
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Yet praising selection isn’t enough. We must insist on sustained investment in training, especially VAR proficiency. CAF’s acknowledgment that “good” is not enough must serve as a prompt, not a platitude. Nigerian officials must now push past this milestone to become “elite”.
Acknowledging referees with FIFA badges and international assignments is step one. Step two requires consistent exposure to high-stakes matches, cross-border seminars, mentorship programmes. That way, when our referees take charge in Morocco, they carry Nigerian integrity and excellence onto the pitch.
Finally, this selection should inspire confidence from fans and players alike. Transparent referee appointments, accountability on decisions, and open dialogue after matches will foster trust. Nigerian referees returning to Africa’s biggest stages signal progress for our officials, our game, and our global reputation.
As Yemisi Akintoye lifts the whistle in Morocco, we stand beside her and with every Nigerian official determined to reclaim prominence in world football.
Did You Know?
- Yemisi Akintoye is one of 11 female referees included on Nigeria’s 30-official FIFA‑badged list for 2025, alongside 8 female assistant referees.
- Nigeria had no referees officiating at the Africa Cup of Nations for 18 consecutive years before CAF’s renewed selections.
- CAF’s refereeing structure comprises three tiers young talent, Elite B and Elite A with only Elite B officials considered for AFCON.
- Patience Madu Ndidi notably became Nigeria’s first female referee to use VAR at the Women’s AFCON in 2022.
- The NFF and CAF now mandate VAR training for all referees before major tournaments something long supported by Premier League and international football.
