Referee from chaotic AFCON final appointed for CAF Champions League first leg

Who, what and why it matters

Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala, the Democratic Republic of the Congo referee who oversaw the controversial Africa Cup of Nations final in January when Senegal briefly left the field, has been appointed to officiate the first leg of the CAF Champions League final. The match pits South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns against Moroccan side AS FAR and is scheduled for 17 May in Tshwane/Pretoria. The decision to appoint a referee linked to a high-profile AFCON incident makes this an appointment of note for clubs, supporters and observers of African club football.

Context: last AFCON final and the appointment

Ngambo Ndala was the match official in the AFCON final earlier this year that became widely discussed after Senegal left the pitch during the game. The Guardian report states CAF has listed him to take charge of the first leg of the African Champions League final between Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR on 17 May in Tshwane/Pretoria. The appointment follows CAF's regular process of naming referees for major fixtures, though the source does not include any CAF statement or further explanation of the selection.

Potential implications for the final

An appointment of this kind can draw attention from both clubs' supporters and media, especially given the prior controversy. Matches at this stage of the CAF Champions League attract intense scrutiny over refereeing decisions, and the presence of a referee who featured in a contentious international final may prompt discussion about neutrality, match control and VAR protocols. The source does not provide details on VAR or the officiating team, so readers should expect CAF to publish the full list of match officials ahead of the game.

• Referee: Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala (Democratic Republic of the Congo) named for CAF Champions League first leg
• Fixture: Mamelodi Sundowns vs AS FAR, first leg of the final, on 17 May in Tshwane/Pretoria
• Context: Ngambo Ndala officiated the AFCON final in January when Senegal left the pitch

What happens next

CAF will normally publish the full match official list — including assistant referees, fourth official and VAR team — before the final; that notice will clarify the complete officiating setup. Clubs, supporters and media are likely to follow any CAF communication closely and may request clarification if there are concerns about the appointment. Matchday procedures, VAR availability and kick-off time remain to be confirmed in official CAF releases; those details are not included in the supplied source.