Congolese Referee Ndala to Officiate Morocco vs Comoros Match in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Opening
CAF appoints Congolese referee Ndala to officiate the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations opening match between Morocco and Comoros.
SUMMARY
The Confederation of African Football has appointed Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to officiate the opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations between Morocco and Comoros, in the tournament hosted by Morocco with 24 teams participating.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Appointment of Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to officiate the opening match between Morocco and Comoros.
- Morocco to host the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations with 24 participating teams.
- Ndala has extensive experience and has officiated important finals such as the 2023 CAF Champions League and the 2021 CAF Super Cup.
CORE SUBJECT
Appointment of referee Ndala for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations opening match
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has assigned Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to officiate the opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be contested between the Moroccan national team and the Comoros national team. The match is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Sunday, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital city, Rabat.
Morocco will host the 35th edition of the tournament from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, featuring 24 teams from across the continent, including six Arab teams, led by Egypt, which holds the record for the most titles won.
The CAF Referees Committee selected Ndala to lead the opening match due to the importance and symbolic nature of the game as the official start of the tournament, which enjoys wide fan and media attention.
Jean-Jacques Ndala, 38 years old, is considered one of the most prominent referees in Africa, with extensive experience managing important matches at both club and national team levels. Ndala has officiated major finals, notably the 2023 CAF Champions League final between Moroccan club Wydad AC and South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, as well as the 2021 CAF Super Cup final between Raja Casablanca and Egyptian club Al Ahly.
The choice of Ndala reflects CAF's confidence in his expertise and skills to ensure a strong refereeing start to the tournament, which is expected to be one of the most competitive editions of the Africa Cup of Nations in recent years.
KEYWORDS
MENTIONED ENTITIES 8
Jean-Jacques Ndala
👤 Person_Male38-year-old Congolese football referee who officiates important matches in Africa
Confederation of African Football
🏛️ OrganizationThe organizing body of the Africa Cup of Nations
Morocco
📍 Location_CountryHost country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Comoros
📍 Location_CountryFootball national team participating in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Wydad AC
Sports_TeamMoroccan football club that participated in the 2023 CAF Champions League final
Mamelodi Sundowns
Sports_TeamSouth African football club that participated in the 2023 CAF Champions League final
Raja Casablanca
Sports_TeamMoroccan football club that participated in the 2021 CAF Super Cup final
Al Ahly
Sports_TeamEgyptian football club that participated in the 2021 CAF Super Cup final