South African referee, Akhona Makalima is set to become the first woman in history to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Makalima is one of the referees shortlisted by the Confederation of Africans (CAF) to officiate at the 2023 AFCON finals.
Makalima, who officiated at the 2019 and 2023 Women’s World Cup in France, has progressed in leaps and bounds since her top-flight debut back in 2015 and has gone on to officiate at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, 2019 African Games, and the CAF Champions League.
The Eastern Cape-born official’s last major tournament was last year’s Women’s World Cup where Africa teams made the continent proud.
The 35-year-old is one of the most popular women’s referees in Africa.
She has been on the FIFA list since 2014.
Makalima was part of FIFA’s officiating pool for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The South African holds a national diploma in human resource management from King Hintsa FET College.
