Four Kenyan women referees will officiate the upcoming Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier between Chad and Senegal that will be held on Friday, 21 February 2025 in Ivory Coast.Josephine Wanjiku will be the centre referee with Carolyne Kiles and, Elizabeth Njoroge being the first and second assistant referees respectively.Lucy Juma will serve as the fourth official.The four were selected for continental duty by virtue of being FIFA referees and for their exemplary performance in local and regional competitions.##NAJAVA_MECA_8710601##Reacting to her appointment, Wanjiku, who played football in her school days, considers the appointment as a step towards achieving her World Cup dream“I started my football career when I was in high school. I played football and for the love of the game, I was inspired by my friends who urged me to start officiating after they spotted my potential.So I took the journey in 2012, starting from the lower leagues and I am still working hard to achieve my dream of officiating in the World Cup,” Wanjiku told FKF media.Why Spain-born star nearly exited Harambee Stars camp in 2019 AFCON finalsOn her part, Caroline Kiles, who is the most experienced of the four, highlighted the challenges faced by female referees in their line of duty.“It is not an easy task as one may say. We try so much to be on par with the men. Sometimes we have hiccups on the field but we keep on.Some people tend to think that the ladies do not officiate well or are not at the level, but we try our level best not to compromise the matches that we officiate,” she said.Rising Stars goalkeeper hoping to hit top form as AFCON U20 beckonsFor Njoroge, she described the appointment as a show of confidence in her ability.“It is a good thing to be chosen. It shows that they believe in me, and my capabilities and that is why they have given me this chance to go and prove myself to the continent. My dream is to go to the World Cup,” she remarked.
