Moroccan referee Bouchra Karboubi etched her name in history on Monday by becoming the first Arab woman to officiate a match as head referee in the African Cup of Nations (Afcon). She flawlessly led the crucial Nigeria vs. Guinea-Bissau clash at the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny stadium in Abidjan, marking the conclusion of Group A's final day. This milestone achievement reflects the fruitful efforts of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) in promoting women's football, aligning with the enlightened vision of King Mohammed VI. The exceptional growth of Moroccan women's football, recently crowned with the historic U20 team's qualification for the 2024 World Cup, stands testament to the FRMF's long-term commitment and concrete actions towards developing this discipline. Karboubi boasts an impressive career beyond this landmark CAN match. She has officiated numerous national and continental fixtures, including the historic 2019-2020 Football Throne Cup final between AS FAR and Moghreb de Tétouan, becoming the first Moroccan woman to lead a title decider in this competition. Notably, she also graced the 2023 Women's World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. Further solidifying her position as a rising star in the refereeing world, Karboubi was recently awarded the prestigious Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Prize for Sports Creativity for «Best Arab Football Referee» at the award's 12th edition on January 10 in Dubai. This recognition honors her leadership, competence, and successful navigation of high-pressure international matches.
