Ugandan top referee Shamirah Nabadda has been named among the elite centre referees selected to officiate at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, marking another major milestone in her already glittering career. The tournament, which will run from 2–30 August 2025 across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, will see Nabadda represent Uganda on home soil in a continental event that celebrates local-based talent and high-level officiating standards.
Nabadda’s inclusion among 26 centre referees chosen by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reflects her consistency, professionalism, and growing reputation as one of the leading referees on the continent. She will join Morocco’s Bouchra Karboubi as the only female centre referees at CHAN 2024, in what CAF has described as a deliberate push towards gender inclusion in top-tier football officiating. This appointment places Nabadda at the heart of African football’s progressive narrative.
Currently in Morocco for the ongoing 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers, Nabadda has already officiated two matches, including the tournament opener. Her sharp decision-making and composure under pressure have earned praise from both CAF officials and football fans. With her CHAN assignment coming just weeks after her Morocco stint, Nabadda is set for a demanding but career-defining spell on the continental stage.
CAF has named a total of 70 match officials for CHAN 2024, including 18 Video Match Officials (VMOs) and 26 assistant referees, drawn from over 30 African countries. All officials will undergo intensive pre-tournament training to ensure alignment with CAF’s updated VAR protocols and officiating guidelines. With matches scheduled in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Kampala, Nabadda could potentially oversee games in front of a passionate home crowd.
Shamirah Nabadda’s rise is not just a personal triumph but also a testament to the development of football officiating in Uganda and Africa at large. Her CHAN 2024 appointment sends a powerful message about inclusion, merit, and the critical role of women in shaping the future of the game. As fans gear up for one of Africa’s biggest tournaments, all eyes will also be on the whistle of one of its finest referees.
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