Africa-Press – Uganda. Trailblazing woman referee Shamirah Nabadda has been appointed as the centre referee for Tuesday’s highly anticipated Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) semi-final clash between South Africa and Nigeria.
The match, scheduled to kick off at 10pm local time, will see defending champions South Africa take on nine-time winners Nigeria in a battle for a place in the final of the 2024 tournament.
Nabadda is one of 18 centre referees selected for this year’s competition, which has been underway in Morocco since July 5 and concludes on July 26.
For this crucial encounter, she will be assisted by Fanta Idrissa Koné and Mariem Chedad, with Rwanda’s Salima Mukasanga serving as assistant VAR.
Renowned for her calm demeanour and authoritative officiating, Nabadda brings extensive experience to the tie.
She has recently officiated in the 2025 Afcon U-20 Qualifiers and has been a consistent figure in major football tournaments both on the continent and globall.
Nabadda officiated at the 2022 Wafcon finals, making her debut in the tournament during the group stage. She was the centre referee for the Zambia vs. Togo match in Group B and later served as a fourth official in a Zambia vs. Tunisia match.
The semi-final tonight is an upgrade in the performance and confidence Caf has in one of the top female referees on the continent.
Her appointment to such a high-profile match reflects the trust the Confederation of African Football has in her capabilities.
Nabadda began her refereeing career in 2015, shortly after completing high school at Masaka Secondary School.
In 2016, she earned her National Referee badge, and just a year later, was awarded her Fifa badge.
Her first international match—between South Africa and Lesotho—marked the beginning of a swift rise in the officiating ranks.
Since then, she has featured in numerous prestigious competitions, including the All Africa Games (2023), Cecafa Women’s Senior Championship, Fufa-organised tournaments, Airtel Rising Stars, CAF Women’s Champions League Final Tournament, and the Olympic Games.
In 2019, she officiated at the World University Games in Napoli, Italy, and has been a recurring presence at past Wafcon editions.
In another major milestone, Fifa in August 2024 selected Nabadda as one of the officials for the Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled for October 6 to November 3 in the Dominican Republic.
This historic appointment makes her the first Ugandan referee to officiate at the tournament, a proud achievement for both Fufa and the Cecafa region.
Nabadda’s journey is a testament to determination, discipline, and rising excellence in African refereeing.
Her presence in today’s semi-final is not only a personal triumph but also a reflection of the growing prominence of Ugandan and East African officials on the global stage.
As South Africa and Nigeria clash in what promises to be a thrilling semi-final, all eyes will be on Nabadda to ensure the game is played with fairness, integrity, and the highest standards of officiating.
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