Top Zambian female FIFA referee Diana Chikotesha has been selected to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 which kicks off on January 13, 2024.

Chikotesha is among two female referees who have been named alongside 28 assistant referees who will be on hand to officiate in matches that have attracted 26 referees. Carine Atezambong of Cameroon is the other female assistant referee.

The Lusaka-based referee has risen through the ranks and recently officiated at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and the CAF Women’s Champions League in Cote d’Ivoire.

Zambia will be making a return at the AFCON and will commence their Group F campaign with a fixture against DR Congo on January 17 before entertaining Tanzania four days later. They will wrap up their Group F engagement with a date against the Atlas Lions of Morocco on January 24.