Jean-Jacques Ndala secures another prestigious CAF final refereeing role

Prominent referee Jean-Jacques Ndala is once again in the spotlight, having been appointed to officiate the crucial first leg of the CAF Champions League final. Following his high-profile role in the CAN 2025 final, Ndala will now preside over the clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR Rabat in Pretoria.

This latest assignment, however, has ignited discussions within football circles, particularly given the Congolese official’s notable exclusion from the roster of African referees selected for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Indeed, after overseeing the climax of the CAN 2025 tournament, Ndala’s expertise will now be leveraged for another significant continental showdown: the CAF Champions League final, featuring a captivating encounter between Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR Rabat.

The inaugural leg of the CAF Champions League final is officially scheduled for May 17, 2026. Supporters can anticipate the kick-off at Lotus Versfeld Stadium at 2 PM GMT.