The controversial AFCON final referee will take charge of the 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 referee the 2026 CAF Champions League final, a decision that is already attracting attention across the continent.

Ndala will oversee the first leg of the final between FAR Rabat of Morocco and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, scheduled for May 17 in Pretoria, South Africa, as the race for the title of Africa’s elite club begins.

The referee’s appointment is particularly noteworthy given his role in the recent Africa Cup of Nations final, where his performance drew mixed reactions and sparked debate among football stakeholders over key refereeing decisions.

Despite the controversy, CAF continued to place faith in Ndala, retaining him among its senior referees for top continental assignments, including high-pressure knockout matches and finals matches.

CAF also confirmed that Somali referee Omar Artan will take charge of the second leg of the final, which will be played on 24 May in Rabat, Morocco, completing the decisive double-header of the CAF Champions League.

The appointments come as anticipation grows for the final, with attention now focused not only on the competing clubs but also on the refereeing team expected to handle one of the most watched matches in African football.