Akhona Makalima

Last updated

Akhona Makalima
Full name Akhona Zennith Makalima
Born (1988-03-27) 27 March 1988 (age 37)
Nqamakwe, South Africa
Domestic
YearsLeagueRole
Premier Soccer League Referee
SAFA Women's League Referee
International
YearsLeagueRole
2014- [1] FIFA 2014 listed Referee

Akhona Zennith Makalima (born 27 March 1988) is an international football referee from South Africa who is a listed international referee for FIFA since 2014. [1] She officiates for FIFA, COSAFA, the Premier Soccer League, and the South African Football Association (SAFA). [2] [3] She was the first female referee to officiate in the Premier Soccer League. [4]

She holds a national diploma in human resource management from King Hintsa FET College and currently works administrator for the Department of Sport. [5]

On 9 January 2023, FIFA appointed her to the officiating pool for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia. [6] [7]

She officiated the 2023 AFCON as a VAR referee. [8]

She officiated as the VAR referee at the 2024 CAF Super Cup. [9]

She officiated at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations. [10]

References

  1. 1 2 "FIFA International List of Match Officials". InsideFIFA. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  2. ↑ "Freshest referee on the block, Akhona Makalima". Kick Off. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  3. ↑ Boyce, Aphiwe. "From the archives | Local female referee Akhona Makalima on taking lead in a male dominated field". Drum. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  4. ↑ Arendse, Yolanda (22 March 2023). "Akhona Makalima Inspires Women During Imperial's Global Women's Forum". gsport4girls. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  5. ↑ "Akhona Makalima: How Africa's Most Stylish Referee is a Pioneer in Women's Sports". TeamKenya.co.ke. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  6. ↑ "Match officials appointed for FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™" (Press release). FIFA. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  7. ↑ "Akhona Makalima 'overwhelmed with emotions' after FIFA Women's World Cup nod | soccer". SABC. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  8. ↑ Pillay, Alicia (13 January 2024). "Akhona Makalima to Add Another Big Tournament to her CV". gsport4girls. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  9. ↑ "SAFA congratulates officials Abongile Tom, Akhona Makalima on CAF Super Cup Appointment - SAFA.net". 1 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  10. ↑ Guardian, The (12 July 2025). "SA women shine bright at CAF WAFCON in Morocco". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2025.


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