CAF under pressure as Jean-Jacques Ndala appointment for Champions League final draws backlash

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is facing mounting criticism after appointing referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to officiate the first leg of the Champions League final between Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR.

The decision, which concerns the match scheduled for 17 May in Pretoria, has triggered strong reactions not only from the two clubs involved but also from within CAF’s own executive committee.

Objections have centred on Ndala’s recent record and his controversial absence from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

The Congolese referee has been at the centre of scrutiny since that tournament, where his handling of events led to widespread criticism.

Following the incident, he was not selected to officiate the AFCON final and has since reportedly been excluded from refereeing duties at the 2026 World Cup by FIFA.

Despite this, CAF has continued to place its trust in Ndala.

The governing body renewed his involvement during the latter stages of continental competitions, including the final group phase of the Champions League and the quarter-finals of the CAF Cup.

His appointment for one of the most high-profile fixtures in African club football has, however, intensified the debate.

Both Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR reacted swiftly to the announcement, formally protesting against the decision and calling for a change of referee.

Their concerns were echoed at the highest levels of CAF, where several executive committee members have also voiced opposition.

According to reports from Sport News Africa and The Guardian, senior figures within the organisation expressed dissatisfaction with the appointment.

Among those said to have opposed the decision are prominent federation leaders, including Samuel Eto’o, Idriss Diallo and Augustin Senghor.

“We discussed amongst ourselves and several of us made it clear that Ndala’s appointment was unacceptable and that we wanted a change of referee,” one member revealed, for example, in comments relayed by The Guardian.

The reaction highlights a growing divide within CAF over how refereeing decisions are handled, particularly in the aftermath of the 2025 AFCON.

Critics argue that the organisation has failed to address concerns raised during that tournament, and that continuing to assign high-profile matches to Ndala risks further damaging its credibility.

“This is a real disgrace for African football.”

Such criticism reflects a broader sense of frustration among officials who believe stronger action should have been taken following the earlier controversy.

The perception, according to those within the organisation, is that CAF’s approach has lacked accountability.

“He (Jean-Jacques Ndala) should face very severe disciplinary measures for his handling of the final; it’s a real disgrace for African football. This appointment will only further discredit him.”

The issue has also extended beyond the referee himself.

The involvement of Olivier Safari Kabene, who has been confirmed as president of the referees’ committee, has drawn additional scrutiny.

His reported role as an evaluator for the final has been questioned, particularly following revelations regarding his involvement in decisions during the AFCON final.

Within CAF, concerns are said to centre on the consistency and transparency of decision-making processes.

For some officials, the current situation risks undermining confidence in the institution at a time when it is still dealing with the fallout from previous controversies.

The Champions League final remains one of the most significant fixtures in African club football, and the selection of match officials is typically subject to close attention.

In this case, however, the debate has shifted from the pitch to governance, with the referee appointment becoming a focal point of wider dissatisfaction.

As the date of the first leg approaches, pressure continues to build on CAF to respond to the concerns raised by clubs and members of its own executive committee.

La nomination de Jean-Jacques Ndala pour la finale de Ligue des Champions embrase le Comex de la CAF

Echanges tendus, demande de changement : plusieurs membres s’opposent et affichent leur incompréhension

Pour @snewsafrica https://t.co/UTtnlweYlr

— Romain Molina (@Romain_Molina) May 4, 2026

Whether the governing body will reconsider its decision remains unclear, but the situation has already exposed tensions within African football’s leadership structures.

The controversy surrounding Ndala’s appointment underlines the challenges facing CAF as it seeks to maintain confidence in its competitions while addressing internal criticism.

With the spotlight now firmly on its decision-making, the organisation faces renewed calls for clarity and accountability.