EC female referee nominated for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Akhona Makalima, a top South African Referee who hails from Eastern Cape has been nominated as a candidate for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup which is to be held in Australia/New Zealand. South African Football Association confirmed that Makalima was nominated after her outstanding performance while on international duty, her name was submitted by Confederation of African Football (CAF). 33-year-old Makalima who hails from Engculu Villange in Ngqamakhwe is amongst 55 top officials nominated for this prestigious event from over 750 female referees and will have to stay fit and sharp to make it to the final list. FIFA has made a special request for member associations to support the nominated candidates to ensure that they are active and officiating the best matches available to them.
The football federation has also urged football bodies to develop their match officials and include them in the international programs to continue building them for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Makalima has been flying the SA flag high since she started her football career as a soccer star playing for Thunderbirds Ladies where she was popularly known as Zidane. Makalima has been doing a stela work over the years having represented female referees officiating on the continent’s biggest tournaments such as CAF Champions league, CAF Confederations Cup, Africa Women’s Africa Cup on Nations and is currently one of the top officials within South Africa’s professional wing, the Premier Soccer League. In 2018 she attended a Global Sport Mentorship Programme as the only South African official to take part. Since she started being a referee she has officiated in high profile matches in Sasol league, SAB league, ABC Motsepe league NFD and PSL.