Malawian female referee Eness Gumbo has been appointed to officiate at the Morocco 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) as a Video Match Official (VMO).
She is the only Malawian referee selected for the continental showpiece.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) operations director Gomezgani Zakazaka confirmed the development in an interview yesterday.
He said the appointment underlines her rising profile in African officiating and Malawi’s growing footprint in women’s football.
Said Zakazaka: “This is another strong signal that women’s football is putting Malawi on the international map.
“The appointment of Eness Gumbo to such a high-profile tournament speaks volumes about the quality of our officials and the progress we are making.”
Confederation of African Football (CAF) has since invited Gumbo to attend a mandatory pre-tournament preparation course in Cairo, Egypt from February 15 to 20.
According to the invitation letter signed by CAF acting head of refereeing and football technology Mamadou Haidara and addressed to FAM, Gumbo is expected to be in Cairo by February 14.
The invitation letter reads in part: “CAF congratulates your Football Association for the selection of your referee/assistant referee to the preparation course of TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 to be held in Cairo from the 15th to 20th of February 2026.”
Gumbo’s selection comes at a time when women’s football is enjoying increased visibility, with the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, also qualifying for the Wafcon final.
Malawi is in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Egypt’s Cleopatras and neighbours Zambia’s Copper Queens.
The Scorchers start their campaign against Nigeria on March 18 before facing Egypt three days later.
They will then wrap up the group stage against the Copper Queens on March 24.
