Rwandan match official Salima Mukansanga became the first woman to referee a match in Africa Cup of Nations history in its 65-year history when she officiated the match between Zimbabwe and Guinea. The 35-year-old referee hopes her achievement can inspire other women to follow their dreams.
Speaking to Sky Sports News after the game, Mukansanga told reporters, “I’m really proud of myself, I’m really happy because it is a big achievement and honour. It’s a privilege, it’s a first step for women – that we have made as women.”
“At first, I was a bit scared with the pressure and the attention but I was really happy because without that chance, without that moment, that opportunity, nobody could ever write the story about the first ever woman officiating as a central referee [in an AFCON game].”
“Once I got that chance and I got that opportunity I thought let me show them, let me open the door for the rest of the women, let me give all that I have.”
Salima Mukansanga
“For me it was like a final game, I did it like a final and I thought ‘this final will open the door for me and for the rest of the women – and at the next AFCON there could be two women or three women, why not?’
“Something that [also] made me very happy was that the players respected me, and respected my decisions. Those big players are professional. They understand. They know. They can understand the situation.”
Mukansanga has previously presided over matches at the All-Africa Games and the Women’s World Cup but admitted she never thought that she would one day be refereeing at the pinnacle of the men’s game in Africa.
“I was thinking ‘why not me in a top competition, why not me in those big competitions that we have heard about, those tournaments that we used to see on TV’.
“That was my dream. To see myself in those big competitions, and here I am, but I never dreamt I would get here to AFCON.”
Mukansanga also described what was going through her mind as she kissed the match-ball before taking to the field in Cameroon, where the tournament is being held.
“Everything about the game was exciting, every second of that game. it was very important to me,” she explained.
“There are things that we do because they are a passion, or something you like, or something that you feel is good, and you like to do it.
“Kissing the ball – I was just happy. Happy and showing I was ready. The game would start with the kick off that ball and that ball helped get me motivated.
“But with every performance there are areas to improve. I gave all I had and I am really proud of the performance that I made.
“I’m really happy but for the next time there is a lot to improve, every referee has a lot to improve and you cannot be 100 per cent good. I’m proud of the performance, but I need to work hard to go far and improve because with every game we are learning. We learn from every game.”
Play For Goals has no doubt that Salima’s story and experience will inspire the next generation of female match officials in Africa and beyond.
