Kenyan FIFA referee Josephine Wanjiku has earned a significant continental recognition, having been selected to participate in a high-level referees’ training program ahead of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Wanjiku is among 59 elite match officials from across Africa chosen for the course, which will take place from May 25 to 29 in Cairo, Egypt.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is organizing the program as part of its preparations for WAFCON 2025. The intensive course is tailored to sharpen the skills and enhance the readiness of the continent’s top women referees, ensuring high officiating standards during the prestigious tournament.
Josephine Wanjiku stands out as the only representative from Kenya and one of just eight officials selected from East Africa. Among these eight, five are centre referees while three serve as assistant referees. Wanjiku’s inclusion as a centre referee highlights her standing within African football and underscores her steady rise in the officiating ranks.
Her selection for this elite training follows a series of high-profile appointments in recent months. She recently officiated as the centre referee in a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa two of Africa’s football powerhouses. In another notable appointment, she served as the fourth official during the Guinea vs Ivory Coast clash in Mali, a testament to her growing reputation and trust by international football bodies.
Since beginning her refereeing career in 2012, Wanjiku has made remarkable progress. She now holds the distinction of being one of only two female FIFA-accredited referees from Kenya. Her journey has not only been marked by consistency and dedication but also by a series of breakthroughs that have positioned her among the continent’s top referees.
On the domestic front, she has officiated key fixtures in Kenyan football, including the high-stakes Mashemeji Derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, one of the country’s most watched and emotionally charged matches. Her ability to handle such intense games with professionalism has contributed to her rising profile.
Wanjiku’s career has also seen her participate in a FIFA seminar for prospective referees held in Doha, Qatar an initiative aimed at grooming future officials for international competitions. Her involvement in such global forums reflects her potential to feature at the highest levels of the sport, including future FIFA tournaments.
The upcoming Cairo workshop provides yet another platform for Wanjiku to refine her expertise and engage with some of Africa’s best female referees. It represents a key milestone not just in her personal career, but also for Kenyan football, signaling the country’s growing presence in international officiating circles.
Her continued rise is a source of pride and inspiration, especially for young women in Kenya and across the region who aspire to careers in football officiating. As CAF ramps up efforts to invest in referee development, stories like Wanjiku’s serve as powerful examples of what can be achieved through perseverance and professionalism.
Her journey reflects both personal ambition and broader progress in African women’s football, reinforcing the importance of inclusivity and excellence in the game. As WAFCON 2025 draws closer, all eyes will be on officials like Wanjiku who are setting new standards for refereeing on the continent.
