The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has congratulated six Zimbabwean match officials who have been appointed by FIFA to officiate in the African qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
In a statement issued on 2 October 2026, ZIFA said Grace Gimo will referee the second-round first-leg match between Benin and Mali on 8 October 2026 at Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, where she will be assisted by Dominica Melusi as Assistant Referee 1.
Thanks Nyahuye will take charge of the second-round second-leg encounter between Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso on 13 October 2026 at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon, joined by Claris Sekai Nyatanga as Assistant Referee 1, Progress Chatsamwa as Assistant Referee 2 and Mercy Chipo Mayimbo as Fourth Official.
ZIFA said the appointments reflect the growing confidence in Zimbabwean match officials and represent a proud moment for the local refereeing community, while also providing encouragement to aspiring female officials across the country.
These appointments directly advance ZIFA’s Dream 2030 vision of professionalising and internationalising Zimbabwean football, which prioritises referee development, gender inclusivity and restoring Zimbabwe’s credibility on the global stage.
By placing six female officials on FIFA’s continental panel for the LA 2028 Olympic qualifiers, the project’s investment in capacity building, fitness, technical training and international exposure is yielding tangible returns, while inspiring a new generation of female referees and demonstrating that Zimbabwean officiating meets world-class standards.
