It is uncommon for people to balance family, school, and sports, especially in Zambia, but Diana Chikotesha has, against all odds, achieved her goals of becoming an educated mother and football referee.

Chikotesha was born and raised in Nanile village in the Petauke district, where she played football with boys as a child and throughout her primary and secondary school years. Her dream of becoming a football star never came true.

However, she never gave up on her love for the beautiful game, and in 2009, after completing secondary school and studying for a diploma in civic education and religious studies at Massi Computing College, she discovered her passion for refereeing after a brief stint at Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company where she worked.

She would then go on to earn a degree in physical education and civic education before pursuing a master’s degree in sports management at Rockview University, where she currently lectures.

The 31-year-old eventually received her FIFA International referee badge in 2014, five years later, and it marked the beginning of better things to come in her referring career.

Chikotesha enrolled at the University of Zambia for her second master’s degree, this time in physical education and sports, and is expected to graduate this year.

Chikotesha on balancing family, work and school

Although it appeared to be going swimmingly to many people, Chikotesha has faced significant challenges in balancing her studies, work, and family as a female in a male-dominated sport.

“It is not easy to balance work, school, and family,” she told BolaNews. “Honestly, I have been overloaded for many years. I have not had time to rest; refereeing is too involving now, with many courses and many trainings, and most of the time I used to miss classes but thank God I am done now and just waiting for my graduation for my second master at the University of Zambia.

“I started my master’s program in 2020; it’s a two-year program, but I am graduating this year. It has not been easy but I told myself that it’s better to be late than absent and finally, I will graduate,” said said.

“My daughter makes me sad,” Chikotesha

Chikotesha’s decision to leave her 9-year-old daughter every now and then has not been easy, but she has had to strike a balance to ensure she spends time with her when she is away from the whistle.

“My daughter always asks me, ‘Mummy, when are you coming home?’ and I am touched, but what can I do? It’s a life I chose, and all I have to do is strike a balance so that none of the things I care about the most suffer at the end of the day. “

Chikotesha, the first woman to serve as an assistant referee during an Africa Cup of Nations final in Ivory Coast between Nigeria and Ivory Coast, wants more Zambian girls to recognise and develop their talents.

“Identify your talents, be disciplined, be courageous, and be confident. I am telling you that if you have all these things, you will be able to achieve everything you want in life. No road is smooth to success; you have to pass through challenges but what is important is how you are going to overcome them. Work hard and also take a keen interest in education.

Chikotesha has officiated at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Africa Cup for both men and women, among other major tournaments, making her one of the few most successful female referees on the continent.

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