Tribute continue to pour in for veteran international referee Salima Mukansanga who announced her retirement from international refereeing at the age of 36.
Mukansanga confirmed her retirement to local sports station B&B Kigali FM although she is yet to inform the Rwanda FA’s referee committee about her decision.
She will remain active until her current license expires on December 31. However, Times Sport understands that she gave her refereeing career a new direction as she looks to focus on using the Video Assistant Referee(VAR) after attending a series of VAR courses.
"I was so excited to know her as one of the best referees in country,” said Rayon Sports Women FC striker Florence Imanizabayo. "She has become an inspiration to the young generation, especially women in football."
"It's a great achievement for her career when she became the first woman referee to officiate at all the tournaments she has been to. I think history will always remember her as an inspiration,” she added.
Mukansanga has enjoyed a successful refereeing career spanning a period of 12 years. She acquired her FIFA Badge in 2012.
She retires as one of Rwanda’s greatest match officials, having officiated big tournaments including men and women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON/ WAFCON), the men and women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games.
Mukansanga made history on January 18, 2022 when she became the first woman to officiate at the Africa Cup of National held in Cameroon when she officiated the Group B game between Guinea and Zimbabwe. 2022 was arguably the referee’s golden year during which she was also selected to officiate at the men’s FIFA World Cup which took place in Qatar.
She officially became the first African woman to handle a men’s World Cup match when France defeated Australia in their opening Group D encounter.
"It means a lot to everyone who saw her doing her work and she has done something big in in this sport. People believe in her and she has shown good character, attitude and hard work,” Rwandan international refetree Sandrine Murangwa Usenga said of her former colleague.
"We are convinced that she can do something even bigger. I believe and I know she is capable and hopefully she will be here to inspire the young generation aspiring to follow this profession," she added
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Usenga has worked with Mukansanga while officiating different matches especially in the topflight league.
She said, "She is good an example for everyone who is seeking to be a professional referee. She has a lot inside her and I believe we will learn from her and I hope she will be good instructor because she has a lot to share with others.”
Born in Rusizi District in the Western Province of Rwanda, Mukansanga did not have an easy debut in refereeing.
She defied all odds starting in the national football space after being certified by FIFA in 2012 before she took up international match officiating roles in 2014 during the Afcon qualifier match between Zambia and Tanzania.
Among other achievements, she officiated at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Women’s AFCON, Women’s FIFA World Cup and Women CAF Champions League among other major football competitions.
According to female sports journalist Clarisse Uwimana, Mukansanga has left a legacy that the young generation will cherish.
"She has been an inspiration to young women who want to pursue sports. She opened doors to so many young women who aspire to become referees,” Uwimana said.
In December 2022, she was recognized as one of BBC's 100 most influential women in the world.