Cameroon: Pregnant referee officiates official match

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Foot Africa

·9 February 2026

Cameroon: Pregnant referee officiates official match

The match between Uganda and Zambia ended in a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the third round of qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup – Poland. What made this encounter truly remarkable was the presence of a pregnant woman among the officiating crew.

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Her name is Adeline Djonriba. She was nearly five months pregnant and performed her duties as an assistant referee during the Uganda vs Zambia clash in the 2026 Women's World Cup qualifiers.

Her photo quickly went viral after the match, which took place on Saturday, February 7, at the FUFA Technical Stadium in Njeru, near Kampala, Uganda. The incident sparked a wide range of reactions online: while some considered it an unnecessary risk, others saw it as a testament to courage and determination.

Adeline Djonriba is a familiar face to local football fans, having been crowned Best Assistant Referee at the 2025 Cameroonian Ballon d'Or ceremony.