Controversial AFCON final referee to officiate CAF Champions League final
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, who officiated the Africa Cup of Nations final, to take charge of the 2026 CAF Champions League final, a decision that is already drawing attention across the continent.
Ndala will oversee the first leg of the final between Morocco’s FAR Rabat and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, scheduled for May 17 in Pretoria, South Africa, as the race for Africa’s elite club title gets underway.
The referee’s appointment is particularly notable given his role in the recent Africa Cup of Nations Final, where his performance attracted mixed reactions and sparked debate among football stakeholders over key officiating decisions.
Despite the controversy, CAF has continued to place confidence in Ndala, retaining him among its highly rated referees for top continental assignments, including high pressure knockout and final stage matches.
CAF also confirmed that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the second leg of the final, which will be played on May 24 in Rabat, Morocco, completing the two legged decider of the CAF Champions League.
The appointments come as anticipation builds for the final, with attention now focused not only on the competing clubs but also on the officiating team expected to handle one of African football’s most watched fixtures.
Source: Blueprint
