Four Moroccan referees selected for Women’s AFCON

Saturday 14 June 2025 - 08:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Four Moroccan referees selected for Women’s AFCON

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed four Moroccan women to the officiating crew for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024, scheduled from July 5 to 26.

Central referees Bouchra Karboubi and Sabah Sadir will be joined by assistant referees Fathia Jermoumi and Ihssane Nouajli in a record officiating team of 46, surpassing the 40 officials selected for the 2022 edition.

The final list from CAF includes 18 referees, 18 assistant referees, and 10 VAR officials representing 30 countries. Host nation Morocco has contributed the highest number of on-field officials this year.

Karboubi has already made history, becoming the first North African woman to officiate a men’s Africa Cup of Nations match earlier this year during the Guinea-Bissau vs. Nigeria game in Côte d’Ivoire. She is also set to officiate at the Paris 2024 Olympic football games.

Sadir brings extensive experience from youth World Cup qualifiers and is steadily building her profile in CAF and FIFA competitions. Jermoumi and Nouajli have successfully advanced through the domestic ranks to gain continental recognition.

The selection of this quartet highlights the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s commitment to developing female referees. Eddy Maillet, CAF Director of Refereeing, noted, “Africa has made serious leaps in the development of women match officials. To fine-tune the last details, we are organizing a preparation course for all referees of the competition, starting from June 25 in Rabat.”

This marks the second consecutive time Morocco hosts the WAFCON, following the successful 2022 edition, which saw the Atlas Lionesses qualify for their first-ever Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Matches will be held across six stadiums in five cities: Larbi Zaouli and Pere Jego stadiums in Casablanca, the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia, the Honor Stadium in Oujda, and the Municipal Stadium in Berkane.