Kenyan referee Mary Njoroge is set for epic duty after she was selected among the officials for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be held in Australia and New Zealand from July to August.

On Tuesday, July 4, she was flagged off by the Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya, Linda Gellard, at Kenyatta University, and she revealed how she has been preparing for the global showpiece.

Njoroge excited

“I am so excited about the assignment. It has been four years of intense preparation, and I’m glad that the time has now come to do what I love most. I was confirmed last year in November that I would officiate in the World Cup.

“I have never been to Australia, and I am ready for the task. I look forward to the new experience, meeting new people and also learning from them,” Njoroge, who was also the first Kenyan female assistant referee to officiate in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, said as quoted by a local media outlet.

Gallard lauded Njoroge, saying that she is an impressive ambassador for Kenya.

“What an ambassador she is for Kenya. She is impressive, independent, strong, and an inspiration to young women and even us. It shows that sports are for everybody, and it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from.

“We are very excited to host the tournament. We can’t wait to show the world what Australia has. It is the first time this (the Women’s World Cup) is happening in the southern hemisphere. I am confident that Australia might bring it home,” the Australian official said.

Njoroge’s previous duties

This is not the first high-profile assignment for Njoroge, as she was also part of the officiating contingent during the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

“We have worked together for the last eight years. This is her second World Cup and this is what success looks like. We have done enough preparation. I know she will make history and also make us proud in Australia,” Edward Lumbugu, Njoroge’s trainer, revealing how the referee’s hard work, discipline, and focus have pushed her, said.

Rwanda’s top female referee, Salima Mukansanga, will also be among the officials at the July-August global bonanza. 106 officials have been selected for the tournament, and out of that number, 33 are centre referees, 55 assistant referees, and 19 video match Officials.

Ahead of her participation in the joint Australia-New Zealand finals, Njoroge is expected to leave for Australia on Friday, July 14, and this is after she completes referee training as an instructor in Arusha this week.

Njoroge’s inspiration

Njoroge is one of the female referees that have risen to officiate at the top games, including men’s competitions, and says her love for football was inspired by her female peers who played for Mathare Youth Sports Association.

“I never loved football when I was growing up. One day I was challenged by someone to take a refereeing course. I was not positive about it because I felt that referees are biased. Eventually, I took up the challenge, and it has not been easy. It took me a lot of time to be in the top flight,” she concluded.

Africa will be represented by Morocco, Zambia, Nigeria, and South Africa, the reigning African champions. Zambia and Morocco will be making their debuts, while Nigeria will be featuring for the further ninth time.

Banyana Banyana have been in the tournament two times.