Diana Chikotesha

Chikotesha was born in Petauke District, in the Eastern Province of Zambia.^[1] She decided to pursue refereeing in 2009,^[1][2] stating later that it was difficult as a girl to pursue an athletic career due to African culture barriers and male-dominated fields.^[3][4] In 2014, Chikotesha earned her FIFA badge and began taking part in tournaments of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Among her most prominent matches are the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast under referee Dahane Beida, and the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Nigeria under referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa.^[5][6] Other important competitions within CAF in which Chikothesha participated were the 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, both held in Egypt.^[7][8]

In 2022, Chikotesha was appointed to the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica and to the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.^[9][10]

Chikothesa was bestowed with the Insignia of Honour by President Hakainde Hichilema for her participation at the women's tournament of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.^[11]

Chikotesha has a master's degree in physical education and civic education and another degree in sport management, all obtained from the University of Zambia.^[2] She is also a faculty member at Rockview University in Lusaka.^[1]