‘Amazons of the Whistle’: NFRA Celebrates Yemisi Akintoye’s CAF WAFCON Appointment
The Nigeria Football Referees Association (NFRA) has congratulated FIFA-badged international referee Yemisi Akintoye following her selection by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to officiate at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Akintoye, a 2021 FIFA-badged referee from the Lagos State Football Referees’ Council, was recognised among the women referees appointed for the continental women’s football championship, a development the NFRA described as a significant achievement for Nigerian officiating.
President of the association, Sir Kelechi Mejuobi, praised the appointment as one of the positive developments for the body and assured Akintoye of the NFRA’s continued support as she represents Nigeria on the international stage.
According to Mejuobi, the achievement reflects the association’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerian referees continue to gain recognition and secure appointments in major CAF competitions and beyond.
‘Our new approaches towards supporting our international referees are yielding positive results. The NFRA is delighted with the progress of our FIFA-badged referees and celebrates Yemisi’s continued advancement. On behalf of the leadership and entire members of the association, we wish our ambassador the very best,’ Mejuobi said.
Akintoye recently participated in CAF’s pre-tournament programme in Egypt, where she successfully completed medical examinations, physical fitness assessments and practical tests organised by the CAF Referees Committee.
In addition to her continental appointment, Akintoye will also lead the officiating team for the Women’s FA Cup final scheduled to hold in Asaba, Delta State, on Saturday, July 11.
She will be assisted by two other international women referees, ASP Abibatu Yusuf and Mfom Friday Akpan, who will serve as Assistant Referee 1 and Assistant Referee 2 respectively.
The NFRA expressed confidence in the officials and wished Akintoye and her colleagues success as they continue to uphold the standards of Nigerian refereeing on domestic and international platforms.
