Ugandan FIFA referee Shamirah Nabadda took centre stage at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 on Tuesday, July 28, officiating the highly anticipated Group C clash between Zambia and Egypt at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. Nabadda’s appointment to handle the continental encounter provided another significant moment for Ugandan football officiating on one of Africa’s biggest sporting stages.
Nabadda entered the fixture carrying the responsibility of managing a match featuring two teams with contrasting WAFCON histories. CAF had confirmed the Ugandan official as the centre referee for the encounter, placing her at the heart of one of the tournament’s Group C fixtures. For Uganda, her presence in Morocco represents more than an individual achievement. It continues a growing story of Ugandan women breaking through at the highest levels of African and international football officiating. Nabadda has established herself as one of the continent’s respected female referees. In 2025, she was recognised as the CAF Female Referee of the Year, an honour that further highlighted her rise within African football.
While Nabadda commanded the centre of the pitch, Zambia dominated the headlines with a ruthless attacking performance. The Copper Queens ran out 6-0 winners, with captain Barbra Banda producing a spectacular individual display. The Orlando Pride forward scored four goals and also registered an assist as Zambia overwhelmed an Egypt side making its return to the continental championship after a decade away.
Zambia’s emphatic victory sends a strong message to the rest of the competition, with the Copper Queens demonstrating both their attacking depth and ability to turn sustained pressure into goals, for Egypt meanwhile, the result marked a difficult return to the WAFCON stage after their long absence.
Nabadda’s WAFCON 2026 assignment adds another important chapter to a rapidly growing international career. The Ugandan official has already represented her country at major international competitions, including the Olympic Games, and continues to receive important CAF and FIFA appointments. She was also selected among the match officials for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, scheduled for September 5–27, her continued presence on major international stages is a source of pride for Uganda and a powerful example of the progress being made by African women in football officiating. As WAFCON Morocco 2026 continues, Nabadda’s appearance in Rabat once again puts the Ugandan flag firmly on the continental football map.
For Ugandan football, this is more than just another appointment. It is another step in Shamirah Nabadda’s journey from the domestic game to the biggest stages of international football.
Courtesy Photo
