In a move that has sent shockwaves through African football, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to officiate the first leg of the CAF Champions League final.
The high-stakes clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Morocco’s AS FAR is set for Sunday, 17 May, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. While the fixture was originally slated for Friday, 15 May, it was pushed back following a request from the South African champions.
A Storm of Controversy
The appointment of Ndala has immediately drawn intense scrutiny from both finalists and the wider football community.
- The AFCON 2025 Shadow: Ndala is at the center of an ongoing legal battle following the 2025 AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal. During that match, Senegal walked off the pitch in protest of his decisions. While Morocco was later awarded a 3-0 win by default, the case is currently under dispute at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
- Official Complaints: Reports indicate that both Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR have submitted formal grievances to CAF regarding Ndala’s selection, citing concerns over his impartiality and recent disciplinary record.
- FIFA Snub: Further fueling the debate is Ndala’s exclusion from FIFA’s list of officials for the upcoming World Cup, leading many to question why he remains a top-tier choice for CAF’s flagship club event.
The Officiating Team
Despite the backlash, CAF has solidified the following crew for the Pretoria leg:
| Role | Official | Nationality |
| Center Referee | Jean-Jacques Ndala | DR Congo |
| Assistant 1 | Jolyen Ngila | DR Congo |
| Assistant 2 | Gérard Monia | DR Congo |
| Fourth Official | Jesse Mosi | DR Congo |
| VAR Lead | Ahmed Abdelaziz | Sudan |
| VAR Assistant | Ahmed Al-Shalmani | Libya |
| VAR Assistant | Diana Chikotesha | Zambia |
Match Commissioner: Desmond Maringwa (Zimbabwe)
Looking Ahead to the Second Leg
While the first leg is clouded by administrative tension, CAF has looked to the future for the return fixture. Somalia’s Omar Abdulkadir Artan—a rising star who recently made history as the first Somali referee at an AFCON—will take charge of the second leg in Rabat on Sunday, 24 May.
With home advantage on the line and a controversial figure in the middle, the spotlight on Loftus Versfeld will be brighter than ever this coming Sunday.
