Karboubi made history when she stepped onto the pitch in the game between Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau
Moroccan referee Bouchra Karboubi has stated officiating the game between Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau was a proud moment for her, Soccernet.ng reports.
It was a historical day in African football when Nigeria took on Guinea-Bissau in their final group-stage game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Although the players were the centre of attraction, the individuals who officiated the game were also part of the attraction.
All three referees were women, and the woman in the centre- Karboubi, was only the second woman to take charge of an AFCON game after Rwanda’s Salma Mukansanga became the first to do so at the last AFCON in 2021.
Kharboubi had a decent performance. There were a few questionable calls, but she stayed in charge for most of the competition.
In a recent development, the 36-year-old Moroccan referee has revealed that taking charge of Nigeria’s game was a proud moment for her.
“I was happy to get the appointment to become the second female referee and first Arabic referee to officiate at the AFCON. I was proud, and I did my best,” Karboubi told Soccernet.ng.
Nigeria eventually won the game 1-0, and that result sealed their place in the round of 16 of the AFCON.