The Confederation of African Football has officially confirmed that DR Congo referee Jean Jacques Ngambo Ndala will officiate the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between hosts Morocco and Senegal.
The title clash takes place tonight at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with continental glory at stake and history waiting to be written.
CAF also announced an experienced officiating team to support Ndala on what promises to be one of the most emotionally charged and scrutinised matches of the 2025 AFCON tournament.
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Full Match Officials for Morocco vs Senegal AFCON Final
Jean Jacques Ndala will be assisted by his compatriots Guylain Bongele Ngila and Gradel Mwanya Mbilizi as assistant referees. Styven Moutassi Moyo has been named the fourth official.
In the Video Assistant Referee room, Gabonese official Pierre Ghislain Atcho will lead operations alongside Eswatini referee Letticia Viana and Kenya’s Stephane Eleazar Yiembe.
The selection underlines CAF’s preference for experience and neutrality as the continent prepares for its biggest football night.
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Who Is Jean Jacques Ndala
Born on 14 June 1987, Jean Jacques Ndala is one of Africa’s most respected referees and has been a FIFA-listed international official since 2013.
Ndala began his refereeing journey in the Katanga Province Football League before rising through the ranks to officiate in DR Congo’s top division, Linafoot. His consistency and command quickly earned him recognition at the continental level.
Over the years, Ndala has built a strong reputation in major CAF competitions, regularly trusted with high-pressure fixtures.
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AFCON and CAF Tournament Experience
Ndala is no stranger to the Africa Cup of Nations. He has now participated in four editions, beginning with AFCON 2019 in Egypt, followed by the 2022 tournament in Cameroon, the 2024 edition in Ivory Coast, and now AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
His most advanced assignment came at the 2024 tournament, where he officiated a quarter-final match, further cementing his standing among CAF’s elite referees.
Beyond AFCON, Ndala has handled key continental finals. In December 2021, he refereed the CAF Super Cup between Al Ahly and Raja Casablanca in Qatar.
In May 2023, he took charge of the first-leg final of the CAF Confederation Cup between Young Africans and USM Alger in Dar es Salaam. Later that year in November, he officiated the second leg final of the African Football League between Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Athletic Club in Pretoria.
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FIFA Assignments and Global Recognition
Ndala’s career has also extended beyond Africa. In 2019, he was selected as an official for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Poland, where he handled two group stage matches.
Although he was preselected for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he narrowly missed out on the final list. However, his global recognition continued to grow, and in April 2025, Ndala was named among the referees for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Ndala at AFCON 2025
At the ongoing AFCON in Morocco, Ndala has already officiated two group stage matches. CAF’s decision to hand him the final reflects confidence in his calm authority, experience and ability to manage high-tension encounters.
Interestingly, Ndala also officiated Morocco’s opening match of the tournament against Comoros on December 21, which the Atlas Lions won comfortably.
Morocco and Senegal Record Under Ndala
Statistics surrounding Ndala’s previous officiating record have added extra intrigue to tonight’s final.
Ndala has officiated Morocco six times across AFCON qualifiers, AFCON matches and World Cup qualifiers. The Atlas Lions have won all six of those games.
In contrast, he has taken charge of Senegal on three occasions, with the Teranga Lions recording one win, one draw and one defeat.
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Matches Officiated by Ndala
World Cup Qualifiers Africa
Morocco vs Niger 5-0
Guinea-Bissau vs Morocco 0-3
Egypt vs Senegal 1-0
AFCON Matches
Morocco vs Comoros 2-0
South Africa vs Morocco 0-1
AFCON Qualifiers
Morocco vs Lesotho 7-0
Rwanda vs Senegal 0-1
Benin vs Senegal 1-1
Morocco vs Malawi 3-0
These numbers have fueled debate among fans and pundits ahead of the final.
Final Question Before Kickoff
Will Morocco make it seven wins from seven matches officiated by Jean Jacques Ndala and lift the AFCON trophy on home soil, or will Senegal defy the odds, break the jinx and retain their continental crown?
With history, pressure and pride colliding in Rabat, one thing is certain. The AFCON final will demand excellence not only from the players but also from the man with the whistle.
