Zambian centre referees have once again been overlooked for duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, extending a worrying drought that dates back to the 2021 tournament in Cameroon, where retired FIFA referee Janny Sikazwe was the last to represent the country in the middle.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday released the list of match officials for the Morocco 2025 AFCON, and from Zambia, only assistant referee Diana Chikotesha made the final cut. Chikotesha, who has earned widespread respect across the continent, returns to the continental stage after officiating at the 2024 AFCON in Ivory Coast, cementing her status as one of Africa’s top female assistant referees.
However, the continued absence of Zambian centre referees has sparked renewed debate about the state of officiating in the local game. In recent seasons, refereeing standards in the MTN Super League have come under heavy criticism, with fans, coaches, and analysts highlighting inconsistent decisions, poor game management, and a lack of accountability.
The AFCON 2025 officials list features referees and assistants from powerhouse refereeing nations, including Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, and South Africa, but no Zambian centre official was deemed ready for Africa’s biggest football showpiece.
CAF’s criteria for match officials remain rigorous, covering physical, technical, and psychological evaluations.
As the tournament kicks off between 21 December 2025 and 18 January 2026, Chikotesha will carry the Zambian flag alone, standing out in an otherwise struggling refereeing system.
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