Mary Njoroge team up well with Rwanda’s Salima Mkansanga and Queency Victoire from Mauritius for Sweden’s victory over Argentina in Hamilton
Kenyan referee Mary Njoroge took charge of her second match at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup as Sweden recorded a 2-0 win over Argentina to maintain their 100 per cent record on Wednesday.
Njoroge teamed up with Rwandan Salima Mkansanga yet again, the former being the centre referee, while the Kenyan was one of her assistants alongside Queency Victoire from Mauritius, at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand.
As was the case with the trio’s first match at the tournament last Thursday when they officiated Portugal’s 2-0 victory over Vietnam, the match was incident-free with Sweden taking command from start to finish.
![Kenyan referee to officiate decisive Argentina fixture at Women’s World Cup](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/31072023/1df6d29a-bf4f-43f7-9a21-1370276723fb.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
14:30 - 31.07.2023
FOOTBALL: Kenyan referee to officiate decisive Argentina fixture at Women’s World Cup
Mary Njoroge’s second assignment at the 2023 tournament will be the Group G decider in Hamilton, New Zealand
Peter Gerhardsson’s Sweden side confirmed their status as Group G winners in style, with a waltzing performance against Argentina, who extend their record of 12 consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup matches without a victory,
No nation in Women’s World Cup history has played more matches than Argentina without winning one, and the South Americans knew that trend would have to buck if they had any hopes of progression.
However, unsurprisingly it was Sweden who enjoyed the best chances before Rebecka Blomqvist headed home from inside the penalty area to give Sweden a deserved lead in the 66th minute.
A moment of madness from Argentina’s Gabriela Chavez in the dying minutes of the contest saw the midfielder drag Blomqvist down in the penalty area, with Mukansanga left no choice but to point to the spot.
Converting with ease, Elin Rubensson’s spot-kick provided the required daylight between the two sides, while putting the rubber stamp on an impressive Swedish performance.
![Flawless performance for Kenyan referee at FIFA Women's World Cup](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/27072023/e200d282-6ad8-4239-b245-1c4444aea2f3.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
13:06 - 27.07.2023
FOOTBALL Flawless performance for Kenyan referee at FIFA Women's World Cup
The match official was at her brilliant best as an all-African crew took charge of Portugal's win over Vietnam.
Njoroge and co were not tested much during the match that had a huge bearing on whether South Africa would be the second African nation to qualify for the Round of 16 and Banyana Banyana, who stunned Italy 3-2, went through courtesy of their win and Argentina’s loss.
The African referees will now await to know which matches they will officiate from next week with the tournament heading into the Round of 16 after Thursday’s fixtures.