The referee for the match between Zamalek and AS Kigali (Rwanda) in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League has been announced.
Zamalek returned to participate in the CAF Champions League after winning the Egyptian Premier League title last season, having spent several years competing in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) informed Zamalek officials that Cameroonian referee Abdoul Mafiri will officiate the match against AS Kigali in the tournament.
He will be assisted by his compatriots Elvis Jay Noubouy Ngogo as the first assistant referee and Rodrigue Meni Mbli as the second assistant referee, while Antoine Max Essouma will serve as the fourth official.
Zamalek will visit AS Kigali at 5:00 PM on October 16th at Amahoro Stadium in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, marking the start of their campaign in the second preliminary round of the continental competition.
Who is Abdoul Mafiri, the referee for the Zamalek vs. AS Kigali match?
Abdoul Mafiri is a 30-year-old Cameroonian referee who has previously officiated numerous matches in various continental tournaments and competitions.
Mafiri is no stranger to Zamalek, having refereed a previous match for the Whites against Zesco United in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup last season, which ended with a 1-0 victory for Zesco.
The referee issued four yellow cards in that match, one of which was shown to Zamalek player Nasser Mansi in the 64th minute.
So far this season, the Cameroonian referee has officiated only one match, between Morocco and Lesotho in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Last season, his most notable assignment was the quarter-final match between Al-Hilal and Renaissance Berkane in the CAF Champions League, where he officiated only two matches during that period.
The Cameroonian also had another experience involving Egyptian players, having refereed the Egypt U-20 team's match against Tanzania in the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations, where the "Pharaohs" secured a 1-0 victory.
