NAIROBI, KENYA — In football, the loudest roar belongs to the crowd, the sweetest sound is the net rippling, but the finest compliment an official can earn is a match remembered for football, not fuss. On Sunday, 18 October 2026, Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabadda will carry that responsibility when Kenya’s Tusker FC face Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars in the 2026/27 CAF Champions League at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Fresh from officiating at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, Nabadda has earned another important continental assignment, with CAF entrusting her to take charge as the centre referee. At Nyayo National Stadium, where ambition meets pressure and every decision can shape a team’s continental journey, the whistle will be more than a signal; it will symbolise trust, discipline and African football’s shared pursuit of fairness.
Nabadda will be supported by Fanta Idrissa Kone of Mali, appointed assistant referee one, and Fides Bangurambona of Burundi, who will serve as assistant referee two. Fellow Ugandan Duula Joshua has been appointed fourth official, while Negash Teklit Negassi of Eritrea will serve as match commissioner.
Their task is as subtle as it is serious: spot the foul before frustration boils, judge offside without hesitation and command respect without becoming the spectacle. In a game where one whistle can provoke a thousand voices, composure must outshine commotion, while consistency remains the currency of credibility.
The match, listed as No. 55, is scheduled for 15:00 GMT (18:00 East African Time) on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. For Nabadda, the appointment is another opportunity to demonstrate her experience and professionalism on the continental stage following her involvement in the global women’s youth competition in Poland.
Meanwhile, Uganda will have more match officials on continental duty in the CAF Confederation Cup, with Lucky Razake Kasalirwe appointed to lead the officiating team for Tunisia’s ES de Zarzis against Mali’s AS Real de Bamako. He will be assisted by Ronald Katenya and Emmanuel Okudra, with Dick Okello serving as fourth official. The first-leg encounter is scheduled for Saturday, 17 October 2026, at Stade Taïeb Mhiri in Sfax, Tunisia. The appointment further underlines Uganda’s presence across CAF’s club competitions.
Nabadda’s appointment also highlights the growing presence of Ugandan match officials in major international and continental football assignments. As Tusker FC and Singida Black Stars prepare to battle for progress in the CAF Champions League, Nabadda and her team will be expected to ensure that the contest is decided by the players’ performances rather than officiating controversy.
For Nabadda, the message extends beyond Nairobi: African football needs not only goalscorers who thrill, coaches who inspire and supporters who fill the stands, but also officials who serve the game with courage, integrity and care. When the first whistle sounds, Uganda will have its representative at the heart of the action. Her greatest achievement will be to help deliver a contest marked by fairness, dignity and respect.
Let the players chase glory, let the supporters sing their story, and let the officials keep the balance right—because when the whistle is fair, the beautiful game shines bright.
Courtesy Photo
