The Confédération africaine de football has selected Congolese official Jean-Jacques Ndala to oversee the first leg of the Champions League final featuring Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR. This opening match is scheduled for May 17 in Pretoria, South Africa.
At 38, the Congolese referee remains a prominent figure on the continental stage, notably remembered for officiating the recent Africa Cup of Nations final between Sénégal and Maroc. Although his performance in that high-stakes match drew significant criticism, the CAF leadership continues to show faith in his abilities through high-profile club competition assignments.
Pretoria appointment confirmed
The CAF confirmed that Jean-Jacques Ndala will be the man in the middle for the first leg at the Loftus Versfeld stadium, the home ground of the Sundowns. The decisive second leg is set to take place in Maroc one week later.
Since the 2025 CAN, the Congolese official has remained active in major fixtures. His recent portfolio includes a 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.
Recalling the controversial CAN final
The name Ndala remains heavily linked to the 2025 CAN final held in Rabat. During that match, he controversially disallowed a goal for Sénégal by blowing the whistle for a foul before the play concluded, which effectively prevented a VAR review. Shortly after, a penalty was awarded to Maroc following a VAR intervention for a challenge on Brahim Díaz.
These events sparked an immediate protest from the Sénégal bench, leading to a temporary suspension of play as players walked off the pitch. While the match eventually resumed and Sénégal won 1-0 in extra time, the administrative outcome was later changed. In March 2026, the CAF ruled a 3-0 victory for Maroc, citing the temporary withdrawal of the Sénégal team as a violation of tournament rules.
Continued trust despite past scrutiny
Despite the backlash from past events, the CAF maintains its reliance on the Congolese official for top-tier African football matches. According to International Football Association Board (IFAB) guidelines, refereeing decisions made during a match are considered final, limiting grounds for sporting appeals. The first leg of this Champions League final will kick off on May 17 in Pretoria, with the return fixture following on May 24 in Rabat.
