Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to take charge of the CAF Champions League semi-final first leg between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly, which will be played on Saturday, 19 April 2025, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Artan, one of East Africa’s most experienced match officials, will lead the officiating team for what is expected to be a fiercely contested encounter between the South African and Egyptian giants.
He will be supported on the sidelines by Kenyan assistants Gilbert Cheruiyot and Stephen Onyango, with Peter Kamamu, also from Kenya, serving as the fourth official.
CAF has confirmed that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will be employed for this pivotal match.
Gabon’s Pierre Ghislain Atcho has been assigned as the main VAR, and will be assisted by Ghanaian official Daniel Laryea in the video review booth.
The use of VAR at this stage of the competition underlines the significance of the tie and CAF’s commitment to ensuring accuracy in key match decisions.
With both teams among the favourites to lift the title, every decision will be scrutinised closely, making the role of the officiating team all the more critical.
CAF has also announced the officiating team for the return leg, set to take place in Cairo on Friday, 25 April 2025.
Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida has been handed the responsibility of overseeing the second leg of the semi-final.
Beida will be assisted by Abdou Nouh of Ivory Coast and Togo’s Jonsan Koffi, while Rwandan official Samuel Uwikunda will act as the fourth official.
VAR duties for the second leg will be led by Ethiopia’s Bamlak Tessema, one of the continent’s most recognisable referees.
He will be supported by Rwandan referee Salima Mukansanga, who continues to build her reputation as one of Africa’s leading female officials.
The appointment of high-profile referees across both legs reflects the high stakes involved, as Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly both look to secure an advantage on their path to the CAF Champions League final.
