Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala is leaving his mark on the world of football on the African continent. His appointment as central referee for the 2023 Club World Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia from December 12 to 22, already makes him a very prominent personality in the world of refereeing.
But that’s not all, Jean-Jacques Ndala has just been appointed to officiate in the return final of the African Football League. This match, which will take place on November 12 at the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, will pit Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa against Wydad Athletic Club from Casablanca. An opportunity for Ndala to demonstrate his talent and skill on the field during a continental-scale meeting.
For this final, Jean-Jacques Ndala will be assisted by two renowned African colleagues: the Cameroonian assistant Elvis Guy Noupue Nguengoue and the Mozambican assistant Arsenio Chadreque Maringule. These three referees will also form the refereeing trio for the next Club World Cup.
This is well-deserved recognition for Jean-Jacques Ndala, who narrowly missed being selected to referee at the last Football World Cup in Qatar. His exemplary career and professionalism convinced the governing bodies of African football to entrust him with major responsibilities during these prestigious competitions.
This success highlights the talents and quality of African refereeing, thus contributing to raising the level of football on the continent. It is also a source of pride for the Democratic Republic of Congo, which sees one of its representatives shine on the international scene.
The rise of Jean-Jacques Ndala is an example for all young African referees who aspire to reach the summits. His journey demonstrates that work, perseverance and passion for refereeing can lead to great success.
Congratulations to Jean-Jacques Ndala on this new appointment and we wish him every success in the African Football League final and the Club World Cup. His talent and professionalism make him one of the best referees on the African continent, and his presence on the field will undoubtedly contribute to the excellence of the game and the fluidity of the matches.