Jidechi Chidiezie

<p>FIFA's latest list of match officials for the 2023 Women's <a href="/sports/football/statistics/tournament?id=30">World Cup</a> is devoid of Nigerians with Rwanda's Salima Mukansanga and 11 other Africans, named by football's global governing body.</p>

IFA President Gianni Infantino (L) and FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura react during the draw ceremony for the 2023 FIFA Women s World Cup in Auckland on October 22, 2022.

<p>The development marked the continuation of the trend of Nigerian match officials missing out on refereeing opportunities on the world stage.</p>

<p>As compared to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France which had only 2 referees from Africa, the expanded Women's showpiece in Australia and New Zealand will play host to four women referees.</p>

<h3><strong>CAF-region selected referees for the 2023 Women's World Cup</strong></h3>

<p>One of these will be Mukansanga who made history last year as the first female African match official to play a part in the Men's World Cup.</p>

Salima Mukansanga on duty at the Men's World Cup.

<p>Vincentia Amedome (TOG)Bouchra Karboubi (MAR) Akhona Makalima (RSA) Salima Mukansanga (RWA).</p>

<h3><strong>Other African match officials for the 2023 Women's World Cup</strong></h3>

<p>Eight other CAF match officials have also been selected by FIFA to play a part in the Women's World Cup scheduled to play in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20, 2023.</p>

Salima Mukansanga (L), Stephanie Frappart (R1), Yoshimi Yamashita (R2)

<p>Morroco's Adil Zourak will serve as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) of the eight assistant referees Morroco's Adil Zourak will serve as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR).</p>

<p>Assistant Referees: Carine Atezambong (CMR)&nbsp;Diana Chikotesha (ZAM)&nbsp;Soukaina Hamdi (MAR)&nbsp;Fatiha Jermoumi (MAR)&nbsp;Fanta Kone (MLI)&nbsp;Mary Njoroge (KEN)&nbsp;Queency Victoire (MRI) <a href="/sports/football/statistics/team?tid=777">VAR</a>: Adil Zourak (MAR).</p>

<h3><strong>Super Falcons to play the first game on July 21</strong></h3>

<p>Having been earlier drawn into Group B of the 2023 Women's World Cup, Nigeria will launch its campaign on July 21 against Canada at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.</p>

<p>Six days later, the Super Falcons will take on co-hosts Australia at the park in Brisbane, before wrapping up their group stage games with a final match at the same venue against the Republic of Ireland on July 31.</p>

Salima Mukansanga is one of Africa's best.

33 referees, 55 assistants and 19 video match officials have been appointed by the world football governing without a Nigerian on the list.

Nigeria missing as FIFA names match officials, picks 4 Africans

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Pulse Uganda

Jidechi is a reporter at Pulse with a vast experience in football, broadcast and digital media. He loves to spend his time telling Nigeria-centric stories.

Jidechi Chidiezie

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Nigeria missing as FIFA names match officials, picks 4 Africans