Kenya’s football flag is flying higher than ever in continental circles! In a massive win for local sports, FIFA-accredited referee Josephine Wanjiku has been officially selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a center referee for the highly anticipated Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Out of the hundreds of officials across Africa, CAF narrowed down an elite list of just 46 match officials—comprising 18 center referees, 18 assistant referees, and 10 Video Assistant Referees (VAR). Wanjiku isn’t just making up the numbers; she is the only Kenyan center referee chosen for this prestigious tournament, proving that her tactical sharpness and authority on the pitch are truly world-class.
Wanjiku’s rise has been nothing short of inspiring. After making her top-flight debut in the men’s FKF Premier League back in 2021, she quickly established herself as one of the most composed and respected whistles in the region. This big break in Morocco comes right on the heels of her elite performance earlier this year, where she effortlessly controlled the high-stakes FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier between powerhouse sides Nigeria and South Africa.
Earlier in the qualifiers, Wanjiku had partnered up with fellow top-tier Kenyan officials like Elizabeth Njoroge to handle international fixtures, proving the immense depth and talent brewing in Kenya’s refereeing ranks. Now, Wanjiku takes the grand leap onto the main tournament stage alone, carrying the hopes and pride of the entire nation.
While the tournament promises explosive action on the pitch with defending champions South Africa looking to hold off heavyweights like Nigeria, all Kenyan eyes will firmly be on Josephine Wanjiku as she commands the whistle. This is a massive milestone for Kenyan football and a beautiful reminder that our talent belongs on the biggest stages in Africa!
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Meta Description: Kenyan FIFA referee Josephine Wanjiku has been selected as the sole center referee from Kenya to officiate at the upcoming Women’s AFCON (WAFCON) in Morocco.
