CAF has officially announced the referees selected to officiate at the upcoming CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals, set to take place in Harare, Zimbabwe, from April 2 to 10, 2026. Now in its fourth edition since 2022, the tournament has grown into a major platform for developing young football talent across Africa.
This year’s finals will not only showcase promising student-athletes but also highlight Africa’s next generation of referees. The appointed officials form a diverse group, including both men and women from various corners of the continent. Among them are some of Africa’s most promising young referees, with the youngest just 17 years old.
All selected match officials are products of the CAF Young Referees Programme, which is designed to identify and cultivate officiating talent from the grassroots level. This initiative has played a key role throughout the Zonal Qualifiers and will continue to guide officiating standards at the Continental Finals in Zimbabwe.
The African Schools Football Championship is a flagship initiative championed by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe. Beyond fostering players’ development, the championship supports a broader vision of nurturing referees and officials to make African football competitive on the global stage while building sustainable structures at home.
CAF African Schools Football Championship Referees Delegation
No. Name Country Gender Age Role
1 Diana Saberazana Madagascar F – CAF Referee Dept
2 Felix Tangawarima Zimbabwe M – Referee Instructor
3 Lukusa Genevieve DR Congo F – Referee Instructor
4 Sibonokuhle Sibanda Zimbabwe M – Fitness Instructor
5 Ropafadzo Amanda Banhwa Zimbabwe F – Physiotherapist
6 Adekounle Samson Benin M 17 Referee
7 Djouhoze Berenice Epiphanie Frey Cote d’Ivoire F 20 Referee
8 Pelagui Paul Khalil Yeo Cote d’Ivoire M 20 Referee
9 Azumat Sophia Ghana F 21 Referee
10 Mohamed Salem Nera Mauritania M 17 Referee
11 Likoso Astridah Zambia F 17 Referee
12 Maimouna Diop Senegal F 18 Referee
13 Sanna Kebbeh Gambia M 18 Referee
14 Eduardo Afonso Muanza Angola M 19 Referee
15 Hachim El-Anrif Loutfi Comoros M 21 Referee
16 Fatima Nourrice Seychelles F 19 Referee
17 Lekuba Lipontsa Lesotho F 22 Referee
18 Ochieng Mayamba Ramadhan Kenya M 20 Referee
19 Isaac Sentongo Uganda M 20 Referee
These officials are set to bring fresh energy and expertise to the tournament, reflecting CAF’s commitment to building a strong foundation for African football—not just for players, but for the referees who ensure the game’s integrity.
