SOCCER – Eswatini referee Letticia Viana has earned the nation a proud moment after being selected as one of Africa’s top match officials for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Viana is the only Eswatini referee included on the prestigious CAF list released yesterday, making her the country’s sole representative at the continent’s biggest football stage.
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Out of the 12 FIFA-accredited referees in Eswatini comprising eight men and four women, Viana’s name was the only one to make the final cut, highlighting her consistency, professionalism and rising stature in African football.
The CAF roster features 28 referees, 31 assistant referees and 14 VAR officials, with Viana set to officiate among the elite.
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) confirmed knowledge of the list but maintained that referee selections remained strictly between CAF and the individual officials.
“We are aware of the list, but everything else is between CAF and the personal referees,” said EFA Marketing and Communications Manager Muzi Radebe.
Meanwhile, Viana’s breakthrough has sparked both pride and introspection within the refereeing fraternity.
Eswatini Referees Association Secretary General Mbongeni Shongwe lauded her for raising the national flag high, calling her selection a significant milestone for both her career and the country.
“We are very excited for Letticia. This is a huge achievement and it shows the capability and talent within Eswatini refereeing,” he said.
Shongwe, however, admitted that the association had hoped for greater representation, given that the country boasts 12 referees with FIFA badges, an indicator of high technical quality.
“We are concerned as an association that only one referee is going to AFCON, yet we have about 12 FIFA-accredited referees,” he said.
He challenged local referees to elevate their commitment and performance, urging those who have previously officiated at events such as the AFCON Under-20 Championship to push harder for senior-level recognition.
“We challenge our referees, especially those who officiated at the AFCON Under-20, to up their socks so that in the next edition of AFCON, the country can have at least two or more referees selected,” he added.
Despite the disappointment over limited representation, Viana’s appointment stands as a powerful beacon of hope and proof that Eswatini officials can compete with the best on the continent.
The 2025 AFCON in Morocco kicks off on December 21.
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