Trailblazing referee Salima Mukansanga hangs up her whistle

She is hanging up her whistle. At 36, Salima Mukansanga, an emblematic figure of African refereeing, has announced her retirement, ending a career that transformed the standards of officiating for women, in Africa and worldwide. The Rwandan established herself as a pioneer by becoming the first African woman to referee men's Africa Cup of Nations matches and by being selected to officiate at the men's World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

First woman to referee a men's AFCON match

The meeting between Guinea and Zimbabwe at the 2022 AFCON will surely go down as one of the defining moments of her career. As the first woman to take charge of a men's match at the competition, she showed, through an impeccable performance, that women can succeed in roles historically dominated by men. "I have always believed that if you work hard and you are determined, nothing can stop you. That moment at the AFCON was a victory not only for me, but for all African women", she said proudly after the match.

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Her career began in 2012 as an assistant referee, before she became a centre referee, and Salima Mukansanga kept climbing the ranks of international refereeing, also taking part in the 2019 World Cup in France, then in 2022 serving as fourth official at several men's World Cup matches in Qatar. "Every decision matters, and I wanted to show that we women are capable of handling these big occasions", she said after her performances. These achievements marked significant progress for the inclusion of women in major global competitions, particularly in Africa, where female role models in sport remain rare.

Another landmark of her career remains the 2022 Women's AFCON final, where she took charge of the match between Morocco and South Africa, won by Banyana Banyana. Played in an electric atmosphere in front of the Moroccan crowd, the final confirmed her composure and her command of the big moments, reinforcing her reputation as a rigorous professional. "Officiating at a Women's AFCON final is one of the greatest moments of my career", she said.

Passing on her experience and passion to young referees

Behind this impressive career, Salima Mukansanga has proved to be much more than a renowned referee: she has become an inspiration for many girls and young women across the continent. Despite the challenges that come with being a woman in a largely male environment, she has always encouraged women to pursue their ambitions. As she retires, she leaves behind a solid legacy and still hopes to train future generations of female referees. "My work doesn't stop here. I want to keep helping young referees, particularly women, to reach their full potential", she says.

Salima Mukansanga's career will therefore have served not only to break down barriers in men's refereeing, but also to change perceptions and pave the way for greater inclusion of women in elite sport.