Controversy surrounds CAF champions league referee selection for Morocco-South Africa clash

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sparked a major debate by assigning Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to officiate the first leg of the CAF Champions League final between Morocco’s AS FAR and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. The decision has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from the Moroccan club, which is now challenging the appointment.

The highly anticipated clash, scheduled for May 17 in Pretoria, will see Ndala, who also refereed the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final, take charge of the match. His performance in the CAN final, which was widely scrutinized, has left many questioning his suitability for such a pivotal fixture. The CAF’s choice has triggered reactions across social media and beyond, with accusations of bias and inconsistency in officiating standards.

AS FAR lodges formal complaint with CAF

The AS FAR has taken its grievances to the CAF, filing an official complaint regarding Ndala’s appointment. The club argues that the decision creates an imbalance between the two legs of the final, set for May 17 in Pretoria and May 24 in Rabat. While Ndala is assigned to the first leg, the returning fixture will feature a more diverse refereeing trio, raising concerns about fairness and neutrality.

Ndala’s controversial track record fuels debate

AS FAR has also highlighted Ndala’s recent officiating record, particularly his handling of the 2025 CAN final, where his decisions were widely criticized. The club claims that his failure to enforce regulations during that match led to Morocco being awarded a forfeit victory under CAF’s articles 82 and 84. This argument has further intensified the controversy, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) now set to review the case.

Surprisingly, even Mamelodi Sundowns has reportedly joined the chorus of dissent against Ndala’s appointment, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. With the CAF now facing mounting pressure, the integrity of the refereeing process in African football is once again under the spotlight.