AFCON 2023: Representing women’s referees in Africa great honour — Karboubi

Moroccan referee, Bouchra Karboubi says it’s an honour to represent women’s referees in Africa.

The elegant Karboubi was at the centre when Nigeria’s Super Eagles defeated the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau 1-0 in their last group game at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Monday.

The arbiter made history by joining Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga as the two women to have officiated a game at the Africa Cup of Nations. Mukansanga achieved the feat three years ago in Cameroon.

“Refereeing this match was an honour for me. During the last AFCON, I was the first woman to do VAR, I was in the final and in this AFCON, I am a central referee. It was a pride for me to represent African women and to represent refereeing in Africa,” she told CAFonline.

Karboubi also reflected on the game between Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.
“The Guinea Bissau – Nigeria match was a serious challenge for me. We had to show that we are here, the first women’s referee trio. So, we had no room for error because we did our best to live up to the trust that CAF placed in us.”