Salima Mukansanga: A Trailblazer in Football Refereeing quits
Salima Mukansanga, who made history in the football refereeing career, has announced her quitting after 12 years as an international referee. She shared this news on BB Kigali Fm on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in response to inquiries about her absence from games. “I made the decision to resign personally,” she stated.
Starting out as a basketball enthusiast, 36-year-old Mukansanga transitioned to Football after realizing the challenges of playing for the National Basketball Team. She initially faced rejection when she approached the Football Association in Rwanda for referee training. However, her perseverance and dedication to learning the Football rules eventually led her to success.
Mukansanga began her refereeing career in the Second Division in Rwanda and officiated women’s sports before progressing to the First Division for men. In 2012, she achieved international referee status approved by FIFA, and a decade later, she became the first woman to referee the African Cup of Nations. Her impressive resume includes participation in the Olympic Games, Women’s World Cup, African Women’s Cup, and CAF Women’s Champions League.
In addition to these milestones, Mukansanga made history as one of three women referees at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first woman from Africa to achieve this honor. She has received numerous prestigious awards, such as BBC 100 Women, Forbes Woman Africa, Forty under 40 Africa Award, and East Africa Youth Award.
