Yemisi Eunice Akintoye has been confirmed as the only Nigerian referee selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) scheduled to be held in Morocco from 5 to 26 July 2025, Footynaija.com reports.
Her inclusion in the list of 46 match officials (made up of 18 referees, 18 assistant referees, and 10 video match officials) places her in a rare position, representing Nigeria not as a player, but as one of the tournament’s adjudicators.
In tthis article, Footynaija.com takes you through everything you need to know about the Nigerian match official.
Personal Background and Refereeing Journey
Akintoye, aged 30, is a graduate of the University of Lagos. She is a member of the Lagos State Football Referees Council. Her journey to elite officiating gained international footing when she earned her FIFA badge in 2021, making her eligible to handle international matches.
Since gaining her FIFA certification, Akintoye has officiated in several major regional tournaments, including the CAF Women’s Champions League, the WAFU B U-20 Championship, and the WAFU B Women’s Champions League.
Her appointments in those competitions provided experience under pressure and in matches involving high stakes, and that background has played a role in her elevation to the continent’s biggest women’s football tournament.
Selection Process for WAFCON 2025
Her selection did not happen by default. As revealed by Blueprint Newspaper, CAF invited top referees to a preparatory course in Cairo, Egypt, in early June 2025. During the course, officials underwent technical assessments, physical fitness tests, and decision-making drills conducted in simulated match conditions.
Akintoye was one of the officials who passed all assessments. It is reported that dhe “impressed” in Cairo. This was decisive in securing her the WAFCON 2025 spot.
The selection is part of CAF’s efforts to promote only the most capable referees, with emphasis placed on fitness, understanding of the game, and in-game judgment.
Tournament Overview and Nigeria’s Involvement
The 2025 WAFCON tournament will feature 12 national teams, with South Africa’s Banyana Banyana entering as defending champions. Nigeria’s Super Falcons, nine-time winners of the tournament, have been placed in Group B, alongside Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria.
As Nigeria’s only officiating representative at WAFCON 2025, Akintoye’s presence reflects Nigeria’s growing status in women’s football beyond players and coaches.
Her selection follows the same pattern of rising female refereeing presence across the continent, where names like Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda, the first African woman to officiate at a men’s FIFA World Cup, are becoming familiar on global stages.
