Malawian female Fifa referee Eness Gumbo will be a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) match official at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) finals set July 25 to August 16 in Morocco. The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) website, www.cafonline.com said she is among 78 referees, instructors and technicians that have been shortlisted to attend the second Wafcon Preparation Course in Cairo, Egypt from June 25 to 30 June ahead of the continental showpiece. This is the second time she has been appointed for the role after doing the same during the last edition.
Gumbo yesterday said she feels honoured to be considered out of the many capable elite referees on the continent. “This is an opportunity not only for me, but Malawi as a country. I will do my best to represent the country well,” she said.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) referees manager Duncan Lengani described Gumbo’s appointment as a big motivation for Malawian referees. “The development means Gumbo’s status will be enhanced and this is vital with FAM’s football transformation agenda. “It is also a motivating factor to note that as the Scorchers will be competing at the Wafcon finals for the first time, we will also have a match official at the event,” he said.
[paywall]
Gumbo started refereeing in 2017 but became a Fifa referee in 2020. She got the VAR match official badge last year.
[/paywall]
All Zim News – Bringing you the latest news and updates.
