Shahenda Saad Ali Elmaghrabi Chosen as Referee for WAFCON 2026 Final
In a significant development for women in sports, Egyptian referee Shahenda Saad Ali Elmaghrabi has been appointed as the center referee for the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026, which will take place in Morocco. The highly anticipated match is set to feature Cameroon and Malawi, taking place on Sunday, August 16, at the iconic Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, with kickoff scheduled for 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT). This appointment not only highlights Elmaghrabi's proficiency in officiating but also underscores the growing recognition of female referees in the realm of football.
A Seasoned Referee with Significant Experience
At 35 years old, Elmaghrabi is no stranger to the WAFCON stage, having officiated in this prestigious tournament for three consecutive editions. Her previous experiences include serving as the referee for the third place matches in both the 2022 and 2024 tournaments, which were also hosted in Morocco. Elmaghrabi's credentials extend beyond the WAFCON; she has officiated in every edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League Continental Finals, showcasing her versatility and expertise in handling high-stakes matches. Notably, she made history in 2022 by becoming the first female referee to officiate a match in the Egyptian Premier League, marking a vital milestone for women referees in Egyptian football.
For the final match, Elmaghrabi will be supported by a distinguished team of officials from various African nations, reflecting CAF's commitment to excellence in officiating. Her team includes: Queency Victoire from Mauritius as Assistant Referee 1, Houda Afine from Tunisia as Assistant Referee 2, Vincentia Enyonam from Togo as Fourth Official, and Nafissatou Yekini Shitou from Benin as Reserve Assistant Referee. Additionally, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) booth will feature a skilled team, including Dorsaf Ganouati from Tunisia as VAR, Zakaria Bouchtaoui from Morocco, and Leticia Antonella Viana from Eswatini as Assistant VARs, with Fatou Gaye from Senegal serving as the Referee Assessor.
The final match between Cameroon and Malawi promises to be a thrilling conclusion to a tournament filled with intense competition and remarkable displays of skill and sportsmanship, indicating the substantial progress of women’s football in Africa. With the appointment of a diverse officiating crew from eight different countries, the event symbolizes the growing representation and empowerment of women in sports across the continent. As we await the crowning of a new WAFCON champion, the atmosphere is ripe with anticipation for this historic event.
As reported by cafonline.com.
