FREETOWN, 15th October 2026 – Sierra Leonean referee Aminata Fullah is set to make history today after being appointed centre referee for the WAFU Zone A U-20 Tournament clash between Liberia and The Gambia in Mali.
The Match No. 2 fixture, scheduled for the opening day of the tournament on Thursday, 15th October 2026, will see Fullah become the first female referee from Sierra Leone to officiate as centre referee in a men’s U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
Her appointment marks a major milestone for Sierra Leonean football and for women in officiating in the country.
Fullah has been a trailblazer. She previously made history as the first Sierra Leonean referee to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations Women’s Tournament, where she earned praise for her composure and decision-making.
Football analysts say her latest appointment reflects growing confidence by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the West African Football Union (WAFU) in Sierra Leonean match officials, particularly female referees who have had limited opportunities on the men’s continental stage.
She will not be the only Sierra Leonean official on duty for the Liberia vs The Gambia encounter. Fellow Sierra Leonean Mamoud Ali Conteh has also been appointed as an assistant referee for the same fixture, further boosting Sierra Leone’s representation in the tournament’s officiating team.
The WAFU Zone A U-20 Tournament in Mali serves as a qualifier for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. The competition brings together youth teams from across the zone, including host Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania.
Fullah’s appointment is being seen as an inspiration for aspiring female referees across Sierra Leone, at a time when the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) and CAF are pushing for greater inclusion of women in football leadership and officiating.
