Referee Josephine Wanjiku reflects on 'proud' WAFCON selection

Wanjiku alongside compatriot Elizabeth Njoroge are among 18 Centre Referees picked by CAF to do duty at the 16th edition of the biennial continental women’s football primed for July 25 to August 16 in Morocco.

Wanjiku, who is a prominent FIFA-accredited Kenyan football referee, gained national attention in 2021 after making her debut as a centre referee in the men’s Kenya Premier League, and was also among the selected officials at the 2025 edition.

“First of all, it is exciting as a referee of my level to be recognised by CAF, I was happy because it is a good opportunity. Every referee works hard to get such opportunities so we work on making it to such a big stage.”

“This is a very big stage and as a referee you have to be very careful and fit so I expect to do my best in any match I will be officiating and make the right decisions only, I am still preparing and still training with the time which is still remaining before the tournament begin,” she said.

She has also officiated in regional and continental competitions, including CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers, CECAFA tournaments and FIFA-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

For Njoroge, she has also achieved notable recognition on the continental stage after earning her prestigious FIFA International badge in January 2025.

She was selected to officiate the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League which was hosted in Egypt and the CECAFA senior women’s championships in Tanzania.

The duo will attend the Second WAFCON Preparatory Course scheduled for June 25–30, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt, as part of their preparation for the tournament.

Harambee Starlets are in a tricky Pool ‘A’ that has hosts Morocco, Algeria, and Senegal.