Twanyanyukwa first Namibian to referee WAFCON final

Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa, known as “Di Maria,” made history by officiating the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2025 between Morocco and Nigeria.The match, played on Saturday, 26 July 2025 at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, marked the first time a Namibian referee took charge of a CAF Women’s AFCON final — a significant achievement for Twanyanyukwa and Namibian football.Before the game, Twanyanyukwa expressed her surprise and determination, saying, “I didn’t expect this at all; I’m still in shock. But with God, all things are possible. WAFCON is a major competition, and expectations are high. We have to go in with the mindset that the whole continent is watching and give our absolute best. Personally, I believe I have the talent and the potential. They’ve seen what I can do, and now it’s my opportunity to prove it on the pitch.”Namibia Football Association (NFA) President Robert Shimooshili congratulated Twanyanyukwa on her historic appointment and performance.“On behalf of the NFA, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and praise to Antsino Twanyanyukwa for making history by officiating the WAFCON final between Nigeria and Morocco. This was a monumental achievement for her, the NFA, and the entire Namibian nation,” said Shimooshili.He added, “Her selection to referee such a high-stakes match was a testament to her unwavering commitment and skill. This accomplishment brought honour not only to herself but also to Namibian football. It underlined the efforts we have made in developing refereeing and football across the country.”Shimooshili also highlighted the inspirational impact of Twanyanyukwa’s success, encouraging aspiring female referees in Namibia. “Her journey is an encouragement to all young women referees in Namibia. With hard work and perseverance, they too can reach the pinnacle of the sport,” he said.In addition to Twanyanyukwa’s groundbreaking role, the NFA acknowledged the important contributions of three other Namibian women during WAFCON 2025. Jacqueline Shipanga, Technical Director, served on the CAF Technical Study Group, providing expert analysis throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, Helvi Eliakim and Juanita Gowases distinguished themselves as General Coordinators, ensuring smooth competition operations.The NFA congratulated Shipanga, Eliakim, and Gowases for their outstanding efforts, noting that their involvement elevated Namibia’s presence on the continental football stage.“Together with Antsino’s achievement, their participation exemplifies women’s empowerment and progress in football, inspiring future generations,” Shimooshili concluded.The Namibia Football Association remains committed to supporting and developing talent in all areas of football, particularly for women, to ensure continued success on national and international platforms.

Twanyanyukwa first Namibian to referee WAFCON final

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-28

Please login to leave a comment

Twanyanyukwa first Namibian to referee WAFCON final

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-28

Please login to leave a comment

Login