CAF appoint Sudan’s Mahmoud Ali for Confederation Cup semifinal return leg clash

The Confederation of African Football has confirmed the appointment of Sudanese referee Mahmoud Ali Mahmoud Ismail to officiate the CAF Champions League second leg clash between Zamalek SC and CR Belouizdad.

The high-stakes encounter is scheduled for April 17 at the iconic Cairo International Stadium, where Zamalek will look to capitalize on home advantage as they battle for a place in the final.

The second leg in Cairo will follow the first encounter set to take place on April 10 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, where CR Belouizdad will host Zamalek in what is expected to be a fiercely contested opening battle.

Mahmoud Ali is no stranger to the Egyptian giants, having previously officiated one of their matches, making this his second time taking charge of a fixture involving Zamalek.

His appointment underscores CAF’s confidence in his ability to handle matches of significant magnitude and intensity.

He will be supported by an experienced officiating crew from across the continent. Tunisian assistant referee Khalil Hassani will serve as first assistant, while Mozambique’s Arsenio Chadrick Maringoli takes on second assistant duties. Burundi’s Pacifique Ndabihawenimana has been named fourth official.

Video Assistant Referee operations will be overseen by Sudan’s Yasser Ahmed Abdel Aziz, assisted by Libya’s Abdul Razzaq Ahmed, ensuring that key decisions benefit from modern officiating technology.

Beyond the match officials, CAF has also appointed Ahmed Eddy Mgwee as the general match observer, while Moroccan referee assessor Yahya Hadka will supervise the performance of the officiating team.

With a place in the final on the line, the return leg promises high drama, intense competition, and little margin for error. All eyes will be on Mahmoud Ali Mahmoud Ismail and his team to ensure a fair and controlled contest as two of Africa’s top clubs clash for continental glory.