Egyptian FA to honour Shahenda Maghrabi after Womens Africa Cup final

The Egyptian Football Association’s Referees’ Committee has decided to honour international referee Shahenda Maghrabi for her performance in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Maghrabi refereed the match as the on-field official, overseeing a final in which Cameroon defeated Malawi 3-0 to claim the continental title. The Egyptian Football Association announced the decision on its Facebook page, praising Maghrabi’s efficient handling of the game.

The award recognises Maghrabi’s role in the tournament’s decisive match, which brought together two teams that had taken very different paths to the final. Cameroon eventually secured the trophy, while Malawi’s progress to the match represented one of the competition’s biggest surprises.

Cameroon’s victory delivered the first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in the country’s history. The team had previously lost three finals, but ended that run at its fourth attempt by beating Malawi 3-0.

For Malawi, reaching the final was a historic achievement in its first appearance at the continental tournament. Their unexpected run carried them all the way to the championship match before they were beaten by Cameroon.

The result gave Cameroon its long-awaited breakthrough after three previous final defeats. Malawi, meanwhile, finished as runners-up after a campaign that exceeded expectations and established the team as the surprise package of the tournament.

Egypt’s own campaign ended in the group stage, with the national team suffering defeats in all three of its matches. Despite Egypt’s early exit, Maghrabi’s appointment to referee the final provided a notable achievement for the country’s officials.

The Egyptian FA’s decision to recognise her follows her involvement in the most important match of the competition. As the referee on the pitch, Maghrabi was responsible for managing the final between Cameroon and Malawi, which ended with Cameroon lifting the trophy for the first time.

Her honour comes against the backdrop of a final that marked important milestones for both competing sides. Cameroon finally overcame its record of losing in previous finals, while Malawi completed a remarkable first appearance by reaching the tournament’s last match.

The 3-0 scoreline ensured Cameroon became champions and confirmed Malawi’s place as the tournament’s unexpected finalist. For Egyptian football, the match also brought attention to Maghrabi’s performance and led the Referees’ Committee to announce its decision to honour the international official.