Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala, a referee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to officiate the first leg of this month's African Champions League final. The decision comes after Mr. Ndala's controversial oversight of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in January, an event that saw significant disruption.
The AFCON final, which took place in Morocco, was marred by an incident where the Senegalese national team walked off the pitch. This highly unusual protest cast a shadow over the tournament's conclusion and drew considerable attention to Mr. Ndala's handling of the match.
CAF's selection of Mr. Ndala for such a high-profile club fixture as the Champions League final has prompted discussion within African football circles. The appointment signals a continued trust in the referee's capabilities despite the widely reported challenges of the AFCON final.
The specific details surrounding the Champions League final's dates and participating teams will be confirmed by CAF in due course. Mr. Ndala's role will be to ensure fair play and adherence to the rules during the initial leg of what is one of Africa's most prestigious club competitions.