The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially selected Congolese official Jean-Jacques Ndala to take charge of the first leg of the CAF Champions League final. This highly anticipated clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR is scheduled for May 17 in Pretoria, South Africa.
At 38 years old, the referee is well known for officiating the latest Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final featuring Sénégal and Maroc. Even though his performance sparked debate, the continental governing body has maintained its faith in his abilities, frequently assigning him to recent club competitions.
Confirmed appointment for the Pretoria showdown
CAF has entrusted Jean-Jacques Ndala with the opening match of this two-legged tie. The fixture will take place at the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, the home ground of the Sundowns. The decisive return leg will be hosted in Maroc just one week later.
Following the 2025 AFCON, the match official has remained highly active in crucial fixtures. His recent assignments include a group stage encounter between Young Africans and JS Kabylie on February 5, as well as a CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final clash between Al-Masry and CR Belouizdad on March 14.
An AFCON final remembered for controversial calls
Ndala’s reputation is closely tied to the 2025 AFCON final held in Rabat. During that game, he disallowed a goal for Sénégal by blowing his whistle for a foul before the play concluded, effectively ruling out any Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review. Shortly after, he awarded Maroc a penalty following a VAR check for an infringement on Brahim Díaz.
These refereeing choices triggered an immediate uproar from the Senegalese touchline. In a display of protest, the players walked off the field for several minutes, causing a temporary halt to the game. Play eventually restarted, and Sénégal secured a 1-0 victory following extra time. However, the sporting outcome was later overturned. In March 2026, CAF officially awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory to Maroc, ruling that the Senegalese team’s brief walkout violated the tournament’s regulations.
Continued trust despite past criticism
In spite of these past controversies, CAF consistently selects the Congolese referee for the continent’s most prestigious matches. According to the guidelines set by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), a referee’s on-field decisions are final, making it extremely difficult to challenge them on a sporting level. The first leg of the Champions League final kicks off on May 17 in Pretoria, with the return fixture scheduled for May 24 in Rabat.
