Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo: A Congolese referee who causes a sensation at CAN 2023
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is in full swing in Ivory Coast, and if the DRC national team, the Leopards, is in the spotlight, another representative of the country is also getting noticed: Jean- Jacques Ndala Ngambo, Congolese central referee. His presence among the twenty-six referees selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for this competition testifies to his rise in power in the world of arbitration.
Already present during the two previous editions of the CAN, Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo officiated his sixth match in this Ivorian edition. Their first match was Ghana against Cape Verde, followed by the Angola against Burkina Faso match. His performances have been considered decent so far, and he deserves our attention, just as much as the national team.
What makes the presence of Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo even more remarkable is the fact that he has the possibility of breaking his own record in terms of the number of matches refereed during a CAN final phase. In previous editions, he officiated two matches each time. In Egypt, he refereed the Mali v Mauritania match, followed by the South Africa v Morocco match. At CAN 2021, he officiated the Cameroon vs Ethiopia match, and his second match was a round of 16 match between Ivory Coast and Egypt.
Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo’s journey is not limited only to the CAN. In 2023, he was also the referee for the final return of the first edition of the African Football League (AFL), a competition organized by CAF. His career as a referee is therefore already busy, and his participation in CAN 2023 only strengthens his status as one of the best Congolese referees.
Beyond his performances on the field, the presence of Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo at CAN 2023 is an inspiring example for young Congolese referees who aspire to reach the highest levels of football refereeing. It demonstrates that determination, hard work and professionalism can open the doors to the biggest international competitions.
In conclusion, Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo is a Congolese referee who is causing a sensation at CAN 2023. His presence among the central referees testifies to his rise in power in the world of arbitration and his professionalism. We will closely monitor his performances throughout the competition and hope that he can beat his own record in terms of the number of matches refereed at a CAN final phase.