Di Maria flying Nam flag high

• By Michael Uugwanga

TOP female football referee, Twanyanyukwa Antsino affectionatly known as Di Maria has been selected as one of the match officials for the second Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Champions League tournament in Morocco.

The CAF Women’s Champions League is scheduled to take place from October 30 to November 13, in the cities of Rabat and Marrakech, which will see the technical contribution from 10 referees, 12 assistant referees and seven video referees from 23 nationalities.

Speaking to Confidente upon her selection, Di Maria could not hide her inclusion as she is the only match official from Namibia.

“I am happy to be selected but I would have been happier if I was not the only Namibian selected.

I am not in any position to give details pertaining to that, however, earlier this year, I attended a VAR course in Egypt and I was also selected to officiate at the recently concluded WAFCON,” Antsino said.

Di Maria will be joined by fellow female referees from other African countries, such as Shahenda Saad Ali Elmaghrabi – Egypt, Akona Zenith Makalima – South Africa, VAR, Mame Coumba Faye – Senegal, hamira Nabadda – Uganda, Zomadre Sonia Kore – Côte D’Ivoire, Amedome Vincentia Enyonam – Togo, Suayis Iratunga – Burundi and EL Ajjani Fatima Zahra – Morocco.

The former Brave Gladiators star player is not new to officiating at major tournaments in that part of the continent, having previously officiated at the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations, that was held in Morocco.

“I will never think of myself better then my teammates or any referee in Namibia, I am fortunate to be among the selected, and proudly representing Namibia and women in sports,” Antsino said.