Egyptian referee Shahenda Saad Ali Elmaghrabi has been appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take charge of the highly anticipated TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 final between Cameroon and Malawi.
The appointment places Elmaghrabi at the centre of one of the biggest matches in African women’s football, with Cameroon and Malawi set to battle for their first WAFCON title at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, August 16, 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).
Elmaghrabi Brings Major International Experience
The 35-year-old Egyptian referee will officiate her third consecutive WAFCON, having previously taken part in the 2022 and 2024 editions, both staged in Morocco.
Her selection for the final reflects her growing reputation within African football. Elmaghrabi has officiated at every edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League Continental Finals and served as the fourth official during the competition’s inaugural final in 2021.
Elmaghrabi also made history in Egyptian football in 2022 when she became the first female referee to officiate a match in the Egyptian Premier League, taking charge of the fixture between Smouha and Pharco.
Her appointment for the WAFCON final therefore represents another significant milestone in the growing participation and visibility of women match officials in African football.
Multinational Team to Handle WAFCON Final
Elmaghrabi will be supported by officials drawn from several African countries, highlighting CAF’s commitment to technical diversity and continental representation.
The officiating team includes:
- Referee: Shahenda Saad Ali Elmaghrabi — Egypt
- Assistant Referee 1: Queency Victoire — Mauritius
- Assistant Referee 2: Houda Afine — Tunisia
- Fourth Official: Vincentia Enyonam — Togo
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Nafissatou Yekini Shitou — Benin
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team will comprise Dorsaf Ganouati of Tunisia, Zakaria Bouchtaoui of Morocco, and Leticia Antonella Viana of Eswatini. Fatou Gaye of Senegal will serve as referee assessor.
Cameroon and Malawi Set for Historic WAFCON Final
The appointment comes as Cameroon and Malawi prepare for a historic showdown. Neither nation has previously won the WAFCON title, meaning the final will produce a new champion in the competition’s 28-year history.
Cameroon reached the final after defeating hosts Morocco on penalties following a goalless semi-final, while Malawi’s impressive run has taken the debutants into their first-ever WAFCON final.
For the Indomitable Lionesses, the final represents another opportunity to finally secure the continental crown after previous final appearances ended in defeat.
For Malawi, meanwhile, victory would mark a historic breakthrough on their first appearance in a WAFCON final.
A Landmark Moment for Women’s Football
Beyond the battle for the trophy, Elmaghrabi’s appointment underscores the increasing prominence of female referees in African football.
Her journey from becoming the first woman to referee an Egyptian Premier League match to being entrusted with the biggest match of the 2026 WAFCON illustrates the expanding opportunities for women officials at the highest level of the sport.
As Cameroon and Malawi prepare to make history in Rabat, Elmaghrabi and her multinational officiating team will have the responsibility of ensuring that the continental showpiece is conducted with fairness, professionalism and technical excellence.
The stage is set in Rabat, and Africa is waiting for a new women’s football champion.
SEO Keywords
El Maghrabi WAFCON 2026 final, Shahenda Elmaghrabi, Cameroon vs Malawi, WAFCON 2026 final, Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, CAF WAFCON Morocco 2026, Egyptian referee, Cameroon women football, Malawi women football, CAF referees, Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
Source: Confederation of African Football (CAF).
By Berinyuy Cajetan
