Rabat — Ugandan FIFA referee Shamirah Nabadda has been appointed among the elite match officials selected to officiate at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, marking yet another major milestone in her fast-rising officiating career.
Nabadda’s appointment comes just weeks after she won a prestigious CAF Refereeing Award in Rabat, further cementing her status as one of Africa’s most respected female referees.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday released the full roster of match officials for the tournament, which will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. A total of 73 officials have been selected, including 28 referees, 31 assistant referees, and 14 VAR officials, all drawn from across the continent.
CAF said the officials were “carefully selected” based on experience and performance, with many having presided over major CAF competitions in recent years.
Intensive Preparations Ahead
All appointed referees are expected to arrive in Morocco on 15 December 2025 for an intensive pre-tournament camp. The programme, led by the CAF Referees Department, will include: Physical fitness tests, Technical evaluations and Theoretical examinations.
CAF noted that the training is designed to ensure officials deliver “optimum performance throughout the tournament.”
Boost for Uganda’s Refereeing Profile
Nabadda’s inclusion is widely seen as a boost for Uganda’s presence in major continental football events. Over the past year, she has featured prominently in CAF competitions and earned international recognition for her consistency, professionalism, and impartiality.
Her appointment also reflects CAF’s ongoing commitment to strengthening refereeing standards across Africa and maintaining integrity in the continent’s flagship tournament.
