Yemisi Akintoye, a Nigerian Elite Referee with a FIFA badge, has been selected to officiate at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Champions League in Cote d’Ivoire from November 5 to 19, 2023. Akintoye was one of 17 referees shortlisted from across Africa and was chosen as one of 12 after attending an intensive one-week pre-tournament course. The CAF confirmed her participation in the competition, where she will be joined by other referees, including Salma Musaganda of Rwanda.
Akintoye, a graduate of the University of Lagos, was badged as a FIFA Referee in 2021 and has officiated at a number of international competitions, including the WAFU Women Champion’s League and the Aisha Buhari Tournament. Her selection for the CAF Women’s Champions League is a significant achievement in a sport that has struggled with gender inequality and underrepresentation.
The CAF Women’s Champions League is a relatively new competition in African women’s football, with the first edition taking place in 2021. The tournament was established to provide more opportunities for African women footballers and to help grow the sport on the continent. Akintoye’s participation as a referee shows the progress being made towards gender equality in African football.
Akintoye’s selection is a boost for Nigerian football and an inspiration for young women aspiring to become football referees. The sport has traditionally been dominated by men, but with more women like Akintoye breaking through, there is hope for a more inclusive future in African football.