The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Nigerian referee Yemisi Akintoye as one of the match officials for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Akintoye, who became a FIFA-badged referee in 2021, earned the prestigious appointment after successfully completing CAF’s medical, physical fitness and technical assessments ahead of the tournament.
The upcoming competition will mark the first time the Nigerian official will officiate at Africa’s premier women’s football tournament.
Her selection is being viewed as a significant milestone for Nigerian refereeing and a testament to her steady rise in African football officiating.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted by Morocco from Sunday, 26 July, to Sunday, 16 August.
Nigeria’s Nigeria women’s national football team will head into the tournament as defending champions, having maintained their status as the most successful team in the competition’s history.
The Super Falcons will be aiming to retain their title in Morocco, while Akintoye will be hoping to make a strong impression on her debut appearance at the continental showpiece.
CAF is expected to announce the full list of match appointments and officiating assignments closer to the start of the tournament.
