Jean-Jacques Ndala to officiate caf champions league final despite past controversies

The Congolese football official, Jean-Jacques Ndala, has been selected by the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) to take charge of the first leg of the CAF Champions League final. This significant match will feature Mamelodi Sundowns against AS FAR and is scheduled for May 17 in Pretoria, South Africa.

At 38 years old, the Congolese referee is well-known for his role in the controversial final of the most recent Africa Cup of Nations, which saw Senegal face Morocco. Despite the significant criticism that followed his performance in that game, the continental governing body has continued to show confidence in his abilities, as evidenced by his recent appointments in various interclub competitions.

Confirmation for the Pretoria fixture

CAF has officially confirmed Jean-Jacques Ndala’s assignment for the opening leg of this two-match showdown. The game will be contested at the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, the home ground of the Sundowns. The decisive second leg of the final is slated to occur a week later in Rabat, Morocco.

Since the CAN 2025 tournament, Ndala has consistently been entrusted with officiating crucial matches. Notably, he presided over the group stage encounter between Young Africans and JS Kabylie on February 5, followed by a CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final clash involving Al-Masry and CR Belouizdad on March 14.

A CAN final marred by contentious rulings

Ndala’s name remains closely associated with the CAN 2025 final, played in Rabat. During that encounter, he controversially disallowed a goal for Senegal by blowing his whistle for a foul before the play concluded, thereby precluding any review by the video assistant referee (VAR). A few minutes later, a penalty was awarded to Morocco following a VAR intervention for a foul on Brahim Díaz.

These contentious decisions triggered an immediate and strong reaction from the Senegalese bench. The players temporarily left the field in protest, causing a significant interruption to the match. Play eventually resumed, and Senegal initially won 1-0 after extra time. However, the final sporting outcome was later altered. In March 2026, CAF awarded a 3-0 victory to Morocco, deeming Senegal’s temporary withdrawal from the pitch a violation of competition regulations.

Continued trust despite widespread criticism

Despite the ongoing controversies surrounding his past officiating, CAF continues to appoint the Congolese referee for major continental fixtures. According to the regulations set forth by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), an referee’s decisions made during a match are considered final, which inherently limits the scope for sport-related appeals or reversals. The first leg of the CAF Champions League final is set for May 17 in Pretoria, with the return fixture scheduled for May 24 in Rabat.