Caf champions league final referee ndala to officiate Maroc vs South Africa clash

The Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala has been selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to oversee the first leg of the CAF Champions League final between Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR. The highly anticipated match is scheduled for May 17 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.

At 38 years old, Ndala is no stranger to high-stakes football officiating. His most recent high-profile assignment was the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Morocco. Despite facing criticism for certain decisions during that game, the CAF has reaffirmed their trust in his abilities, as evidenced by his continued selection for major continental competitions.

prestige assignment in pretoria’s iconic stadium

The Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, home ground of Mamelodi Sundowns, will host the opening match of the Champions League final on May 17. The return leg is set to take place a week later in Rabat, Morocco. Ndala’s appointment underscores the CAF’s confidence in managing pivotal fixtures, even amid past controversies.

Since the AFCON 2025, Ndala has been entrusted with several key matches. Notably, he officiated the group-stage clash between Young Africans and JS Kabylie on February 5, followed by a CAF Cup quarter-final between Al-Masry and CR Belouizdad on March 14.

controversial decisions linger in memory of can 2025 final

Ndala’s name remains closely tied to the AFCON 2025 final played in Rabat. During that match, he disallowed a goal for Senegal after blowing the whistle prematurely, preventing the use of VAR review. Moments later, he awarded a penalty to Morocco following a VAR intervention for a foul on Brahim Díaz.

The controversial decisions sparked an immediate reaction from the Senegalese bench, with players temporarily leaving the pitch in protest, causing a delay in the game. Senegal eventually won 1-0 after extra time. However, the outcome was later revised in March 2026 when the CAF awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, citing the Senegalese team’s temporary walkout as a breach of competition regulations.

despite criticism, ndala retains caf’s confidence

Even after facing scrutiny, the CAF continues to assign Ndala to marquee matches across Africa. According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB) regulations, referee decisions during a match are final and cannot be challenged on sporting grounds. The first leg of the Champions League final is set for May 17 in Pretoria, with the second leg scheduled for May 24 in Rabat.