Kenyan women referees to officiate WAFCON Qualifier in Côte d’Ivoire

Kenyan women referees Josephine Wanjiku, Caroline Kiles, Elizabeth Njoroge, and Lucy Juma have been appointed to officiate the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier between Chad and Senegal on February 21, 2025, in Côte d’Ivoire.

Before heading to Côte d’Ivoire, the quartet fine-tuned their preparations by officiating the FKF Premier League match between Kariobangi Sharks FC and Posta Rangers FC at Dandora Stadium on Friday. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

Wanjiku shared her aspirations and her refereeing journey, “I started learning refereeing in 2012, beginning in the lower leagues and gradually rising through the ranks. Now, as a FIFA referee, I dream of officiating at the World Cup.”

Kiles touched on breaking barriers in officiating, “It’s not an easy task, as society is still learning to embrace the idea of women officiating matches. Many believe we are not capable, but we work hard to prove otherwise, ensuring we perform to the best of our ability in every match, big or small.”

On her side, Njoroge expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity, “Being selected for this match is an honor. It shows that they believe in my abilities, and I am eager to prove myself. My ultimate dream is to officiate at the World Cup.”

The appointment of these four referees is a testament to the growing recognition of Kenyan match officials on the continental stage.