CAF Referee of the Year Omar Artan to officiate CECAFA Kagame Cup final ahead of UEFA Super Cup assignment

CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Omar Abdulkadir Artan is set to travel to Rwanda to take charge of the CECAFA Kagame Cup final on August 7, as the Somali match official prepares for another prestigious international assignment just days later.

Artan has been appointed as the referee for the final of the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup, which will be played in Rwanda, with the appointment adding to an already impressive list of high-profile duties for the FIFA-listed official.

The assignment will serve as an important preparation exercise ahead of his next major responsibility — the UEFA Super Cup final scheduled for August 12. Artan has been selected by UEFA to officiate the European showpiece, underlining his growing reputation on the international stage.

The 34-year-old official, who was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025, has continued to break new ground for Somali referees through his performances in major continental and global competitions. He has been on the FIFA international referees list since 2018.

His appointment for the CECAFA Kagame Cup final presents an opportunity to fine-tune his preparations before handling the UEFA Super Cup, a fixture that brings together Europe’s top club champions and attracts worldwide attention.

The CECAFA Kagame Cup, one of East and Central Africa’s most prestigious club competitions, is being hosted in Rwanda, with the final set to bring the tournament to a climax on August 7.

Artan’s latest appointments further highlight the increasing recognition of African refereeing talent on the global stage, following a period in which he has established himself as one of the continent’s leading officials.