AFCON Update: DR Congo’s Jean-Jacques Ndala To Officiate Opening Match

AFCON Update: DR Congo’s Jean-Jacques Ndala To Officiate Opening Match

Sampson Adedeji

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed DR Congo referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to take charge of the opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Ndala will officiate the tournament curtain-raiser, scheduled for December 21, which will see the host nation, Morocco, face Comoros.

The experienced Congolese referee is one of Africa’s highly rated officials and has handled several high-profile continental and international fixtures in recent years.

Meanwhile, Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida has been appointed to oversee Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties for the opening encounter, further underlining CAF’s reliance on seasoned officials for the prestigious fixture.

The 2025 AFCON will officially kick off on December 21 in Morocco, with the opening match expected to attract massive attention across the continent.