Historic Moment: Diana Chikotesha Makes History as First Female Zambian Referee at AFCON

Diana Chikotesha created history by becoming the first female Zambian referee to officiate at the men’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Chikotesha, who had already made significant strides by officiating at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, added another milestone to her career as she served as the second assistant referee in the Group C clash between defending champions Senegal and Cameroon.

The match, held in San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire, ended with Senegal emerging victorious with a 3-1 scoreline. Following the historic moment, Chikotesha expressed her excitement and described the achievement as a breakthrough in a male-dominated sport. She referred to it as a “dream come true” and emphasized her commitment to working hard and being a flag bearer for Zambia.

In an interview with ZNBC’s Matimba Nkonje, Chikotesha shared her joy and stated, “Officiating at the AFCON is a big and inspiring moment. I will keep working hard to continue lifting the Zambian flag high and be an inspiration to the girl child.”

Chikotesha’s accomplishment marks a significant step forward for women in football officiating and serves as an inspiration for aspiring female referees in Zambia and beyond. Her dedication to the sport and breaking barriers underscores the progress being made toward greater inclusivity and gender equality in football.