By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwean referee, Brighton Chimene has been appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which will be staged in Morocco from July 26 to August 16.
The appointment places Chimene among the continent’s top match officials selected to oversee Africa’s flagship women’s football tournament. It also marks another significant achievement for Zimbabwean refereeing, highlighting the growing recognition local officials continue to receive at the continental level.
As part of the VAR team, Chimene will be responsible for assisting match referees by reviewing crucial incidents during games, helping ensure that key decisions are made accurately and fairly throughout the competition.
Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) secretary-general, Yvonne Manwa described the appointment as a reward for years of hard work, consistency and commitment to meeting the demanding standards required of officials on the international stage.
“It also reflects the growing reputation of Zimbabwean match officials within CAF and the opportunities that continue to emerge through sustained investment in referee development. This is a proud moment for both the Association and the nation. The appointment is richly deserved and is a testament to his professionalism, commitment and pursuit of excellence. It is encouraging to see Zimbabwean officials continuing to earn the confidence of CAF to officiate at major continental competitions.
“As an Association, we remain committed to creating an environment where our referees can develop, excel and compete at the highest level. We congratulate Brighton on this outstanding achievement and wish him every success as he represents Zimbabwe in Morocco,” Manwa said.
Chimene’s appointment comes as ZIFA continues to invest in raising refereeing standards through structured training programmes, regular technical workshops, fitness assessments and integrity initiatives designed to strengthen the performance of match officials across the country.
According to Manwa, Chimene’s selection is not only a personal milestone but also an endorsement of Zimbabwe’s referee development programmes and the country’s growing standing within African football officiating.
“For Zimbabwean football, Chimene’s selection is more than an individual accolade. It is further evidence that the country’s officials are increasingly making their mark on the continental stage, reinforcing confidence in the quality of Zimbabwe’s referee development pathway.
“We congratulate him on this prestigious appointment and wish him a successful tournament as he carries the nation’s flag with distinction at the tournament,” Manwa added.
The delayed tournament, which was pushed back by four and a half months, will now proceed in Morocco after speculation that South Africa could replace the North African nation as hosts failed to materialise.
Sixteen teams will contest the championship, divided into four groups, with the top two sides from each pool advancing to the quarter-finals.
Hosts Morocco headline Group A alongside Algeria, Kenya and Senegal. Group B features Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa and Tanzania, while Group C comprises Egypt, Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia. Group D is made up of Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ghana and Mali.
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