Nigeria's Ogabor appointed referee for Medeama, TP Mazembe CAFCL clash

Posted : 26 August 2026

Nigerian referee Joseph Odey Ogabor has been appointed by the Confederation of African Football to officiate the CAF Champions League preliminary-round first-leg clash between Medeama and TP Mazembe. The fixture will take place at the TNA Stadium in Tarkwa, Ghana, on September 6, 2026.

Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 GMT. Medeama will begin their continental campaign at home against the experienced Congolese giants, who are among Africa's most decorated clubs.

Ogabor will be joined by fellow Nigerians Tejiri Besmart Digbori and Ahmad Tijjani Mustapha. Digbori and Mustapha have been appointed assistant referees, while Salisu Basheer will serve as the fourth official.

The wider match officials' team will include Gambian Bakary K. Jammeh as the match commissioner. Ivorian Sinko Zeli has been appointed as the referee assessor for the encounter.

The appointment represents another CAF Champions League assignment for Ogabor. He also officiated the group-stage meeting between Saint-Eloi Lupopo and MC Alger in January 2026, with Lupopo winning 1-0.

Ogabor has also built considerable experience in Nigerian domestic football and other CAF competitions. His recent record includes matches in the NPFL, CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

However, his appointment also comes with a controversial history. Ogabor served a one-year CAF suspension in 2018 after being sanctioned over a match-manipulation case involving an alleged attempt to influence South African officials during Plateau United's CAF Confederation Cup campaign.

His latest appointment shows that he has returned to officiating at the highest level of African club competition. The focus will now be on his performance when Medeama and TP Mazembe meet in Tarkwa.

Medeama will be playing their first competitive match of the new season. The Ghanaian champions will hope to use home advantage to secure a positive result before travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo for the second leg on September 12.

TP Mazembe will provide a major test for the hosts. The Congolese club's continental experience makes the first leg particularly important for Medeama, who will want to establish an advantage before the return fixture.

The two-leg tie will determine which side advances from the preliminary round. Ogabor and his Nigerian team of officials will therefore have a key role when the Champions League campaign begins in Tarkwa.

Nigeria's Ogabor appointed referee for Medeama, TP Mazembe CAFCL clash

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics