Caf champions league final referee ndala to officiate Morocco match

Jean-Jacques Ndala, a top referee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to oversee the first leg of the CAF Champions League final between Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) and AS FAR (Morocco). The highly anticipated clash is scheduled for May 17 at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium, with the return leg set for May 24 in Rabat.

Expertise recognized despite past controversies

At 38 years old, Ndala brings extensive experience to the pitch, having previously officiated the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco. Despite encountering criticism for key decisions in that match, the CAF has reaffirmed its trust in his abilities, as evidenced by his recent assignments in high-stakes club competitions.

Recent assignments showcase consistency

Following the 2025 AFCON, Ndala continued to earn high-profile appointments. He notably refereed the Group Stage fixture between Young Africans (Tanzania) and JS Kabylie (Algeria) on February 5, followed by a CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal clash between Al-Masry (Egypt) and CR Belouizdad (Algeria) on March 14.

Controversial decisions linger in memory

Ndala’s name remains closely tied to the 2025 AFCON final in Rabat. During that match, he disallowed a goal for Senegal after blowing the whistle prematurely, eliminating the possibility of VAR review. Shortly after, he awarded a penalty to Morocco following VAR intervention for a foul on Brahim Díaz. These decisions sparked protests from the Senegalese bench, leading to a temporary pitch invasion and match suspension. Though Senegal initially won 1-0 after extra time, the CAF later awarded the match 3-0 to Morocco in March 2026, citing the team’s brief walk-off as a violation of competition rules.

CAF stands by referee amid scrutiny

Despite the backlash, the CAF continues to entrust Ndala with pivotal continental fixtures. According to International Football Association Board (IFAB) regulations, referee decisions are final and cannot be challenged on sporting grounds. The first leg of the CAF Champions League final will kick off on May 17 in Pretoria, with the decisive return match following a week later in Rabat.