The prominent official Jean-Jacques Ndala is once again in the spotlight. Following his high-profile role in the CAN 2025 final, he has been appointed to referee the first leg of the CAF Champions League final, featuring Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR Rabat in Pretoria.
This selection has triggered a wave of discussion across the football community. Many observers are highlighting the irony of this prestigious assignment, given that the Congolese referee was excluded from the list of African officials chosen for the 2026 World Cup.
Building on his experience from the CAN 2025 final, Ndala is now tasked with managing the continental showdown between Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR. This appointment reaffirms his status within the CAF refereeing ranks despite recent controversies regarding global selections.
The opening leg of the CAF Champions League final is scheduled for May 17, 2026. The match will be hosted at the Lotus Versfeld Stadium, with the action set to begin at 14:00 GMT.
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