In a historic moment for African football, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations witnessed the remarkable presence of an all-female referee trio during the Nigeria vs. Guinea-Bissau game.

Bouchra Karboubi, the Moroccan referee at the helm, marked her place in history as only the second woman to officiate an AFCON match, following Rwanda’s Salma Mukansanga in 2021.

Reflecting on the significant occasion, Karboubi, 36, expressed her pride, stating, “I was happy to get the appointment to become the second female referee and first Arabic referee to officiate at the AFCON. I was proud, and I did my best.”

Karboubi delivered a commendable performance throughout the 90 minutes. The game ended with Nigeria securing a 1-0 victory, solidifying their spot in the AFCON round of 16.

This milestone not only highlights the increasing inclusivity in football officiating but also underscores the talent and capability of female referees on the international stage.