AFCON 2025: Who is Shamirah Nabadda, the only woman selected among the referees? | OneFootball

Shamirah Nabadda

With less than a month to go before the kickoff of AFCON 2025, CAF has unveiled the list of referees chosen for the tournament. Shamirah Nabadda, the only woman on the list, is capturing all the attention.

Just one woman has managed to make her mark in a field where the whistle is still largely dominated by men. That woman is, of course, Shamirah Nabadda. The presence of the 30-year-old Ugandan is drawing as much focus as the big names among African refereeing nations.

But beyond everything else, it's Shamirah Nabadda's journey that truly stands out. Already noticed during the U20 AFCON, where she officiated group stage and quarterfinal matches, she reinforced her credentials at the CHAN last August. There, she took charge of the third-place playoff between Sudan and Senegal (1-1, 2-4 on penalties), after being appointed for Madagascar–Mauritania in the opening round.

It's worth noting that Bouchra Karboubi, the renowned Moroccan referee, was left out. A decision that comes as a surprise. Disappointed, Karboubi has decided to retire.