On Thursday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that Libyan referee Mutaz Ibrahim will officiate the first leg game of the Champions League final between Egypt’s Al Ahly and Morocco’s Wydad in Cairo, as the two clubs reprise last year’s decider, which the latter won 2-0.
Egypt’s Al Ahly will host Wydad in the first leg of the final on 4 June at Cairo International Stadium. The second leg will be officiated by Ethiopian referee, Bamlak Tessema on 11 June at Stade Mohammed V in Morocco.
Center referee Mutaz has been a Fifa international since 2019.
He will have fellow countryman, Attia Issa and Tunisian Khalil Hassani as assistant referees.
The fourth official will be Chadian, Hajj Mohamed Al-Lahou while Algeria’s Mustapha Ghorbal and Cameroon’s Fomo Carine lead VAR duties.
Al Ahly secured their place in the 2023 Champions League final after beating Tunisia’s Esperance 4-0 on aggregate. A late own goal sent holders Wydad Casablanca of Morocco into the African Champions League final on away goals, after holding Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa to a 2-2 draw in last week’s semi-final second leg.
Sundowns went ahead early in the second half through captain Themba Zwane, stealing the ball away from the Moroccan defence, before firing home from the edge of the box.
Wydad showed their experience to equalize in the 72nd minute with a powerful header from flying fullback, Ayoub El Amloud from a perfect cross by Captain Yahya Jabrane.
The first leg of the semi-final in Casablanca ended goalless, and the two away goals in the return ensured Wydad’s progress.
