Controversial Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to Officiate CAF Champions League Final First Leg

The CAF Referees Committee has appointed Congolese official Jean-Jacques Ndala to referee the first leg of the 2026 Champions League final between FAR Rabat and Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria on May 17. Ndala drew intense criticism after handling the 2025 AFCON final, where play was halted following a walk-off protest by Senegal’s players. Senegal won 1-0 on the day, but Morocco was later awarded the title on appeal. Somali referee Omar Artan will take charge of the second leg in Rabat on May 24. Ndala was not included among FIFA’s African referees for the 2026 World Cup, a likely consequence of the AFCON controversy.

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