Cameroon to send trio of female referees to 2026 Womens Afcon in Morocco

Cameroon will have three female match officials at the 2026 Womens Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, underlining the countrys growing influence in womens refereeing on the continent.

Two centre referees and one assistant referee from Cameroon secured their spots after a Confederation of African Football (CAF) pre-selection and evaluation course, confirming the countrys presence on the pitch at Africas flagship womens football tournament.

Two Cameroonian referees among elite central officials

Among the 17 central referees chosen by CAF is Aline Gimbang, a regular figure at African competitions whose consistent performances have once again earned her the trust of the continental governing body.

She will be joined by fellow Cameroonian referee Ntangti Innocentia, who was also selected among the on-field officials. Her inclusion is being seen as a reward for her rapid rise and the quality she has shown in domestic and international fixtures.

Both women are expected to play prominent roles during the finals in Morocco, where CAF is seeking to maintain high officiating standards as the womens game continues to grow in profile and competitiveness across Africa.

Assistant referee flying the flag

In the group of assistant referees, which numbers 22 in total, Cameroon will be represented by Carine Atezembong.

Known for her rigour and accuracy in decision-making on the touchline, Atezembong will also carry Cameroonian colours at what is anticipated to be one of the biggest editions of the Womens Afcon to date.

Her selection places her among the leading assistant referees on the continent and reinforces Cameroons reputation for producing high-calibre match officials at womens level.

No Cameroonian selected for VAR duty

While Cameroon will have three officials on the field, none of its referees were named among the 14 video assistant referees (VAR) selected for the tournament.

The absence in the VAR team highlights an area where Cameroonian officiating is yet to break through at continental level, particularly in the increasingly specialised world of video technology and review systems.

However, the presence of three referees in the on-field categories is being interpreted as a strong sign of recognition for the countrys female refereeing structures and development programmes.

Growing recognition for womens refereeing

CAFs selections follow a rigorous assessment process in which referees from across Africa were evaluated on fitness, decision-making, positioning and application of the Laws of the Game.

For Cameroon, having three officials at the finals is seen as both a reward for recent progress and an incentive to continue investing in womens refereeing, with the 2026 tournament set to provide a major showcase.

With Gimbang and Innocentia among the central referees and Atezembong on the line, Cameroonian officials are expected to play a visible role in Morocco as African womens football continues its rapid development on and off the pitch.