Mimisen Iyorhe is one of few female referees in Nigeria with international recognition.
The pretty umpire happens to be the only Nigerian who made the list of 26 match officials for the 10th Africa Women Championship (AWC) in Cameroon.
Iyorhe, who has a FIFA Badge, is also on the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) list of referees where she handled top games last season.
Officiating games involving the opposite sex comes with its peculiar challenge and for Iyorhe the advances she receives from male footballers supersedes all.
When asked about how she copes with so many male players showing interest in her, she told Owngoalnigeria “boys will always be boys or maybe I should say men will always be men. I get advances from male footballer during games, it’s normal for we female referees.
“The thing is you must find a way of telling them off politely, but even at that some of them will still be coming even after games. They are smart guys, they can get your number is what they will tell you.”
On her invitation to be a part of the AWC, the businesswoman turned referee said it’s an honour to be recognised by a body as big as the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF).
“What else can I say? I am honoured to be recognised by CAF, I want to thank everyone who have played a part in shaping my career. I hope to be a good ambassador for Nigeria at the Championship.”
