Ugandan female referee Shamirah Nabadda has been appointed to handle tonight’s highly anticipated semifinal clash between Nigeria’s Super Falcons and South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The match, billed as a titanic encounter between the continent’s two dominant women’s football sides, kicks off at 7:00 PM EAT at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.
Nabadda’s selection to officiate the semifinal is a major endorsement of her growing stature on the international stage.
Known for her calm authority and consistent decision-making, the 34-year-old FIFA-accredited referee has previously handled major CAF and FIFA fixtures, but this assignment places her at the heart of one of Africa’s fiercest football rivalries.
Nigeria, nine-time champions, are eager to reclaim their crown after losing the 2022 final to South Africa, who enter tonight’s match as defending champions.
With a place in the WAFCON 2025 final at stake, both teams are expected to play with intensity, making Nabadda’s role crucial in ensuring fairness and order.
Nabadda’s appointment has drawn praise from Ugandan football officials and fans alike, who view it as a testament to Uganda’s growing presence in continental football officiating.
She remains Uganda’s most decorated female referee and a trailblazer for women in sports across the region.
The winner of tonight’s clash will face either Morocco or Zambia, who square off in the other semifinal.