The 2025 CAF Men’s Referee of the Year, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, has been appointed to officiate the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 final at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on August 7, 2026.
Artan will take charge of the eagerly awaited final between Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC and Rwanda’s Rayon Sports FC in one of the biggest fixtures on the East and Central African football calendar.
The Somali referee will be assisted by Liban Abdulrazack of Djibouti and Eliezer Stephen Yiembe of Kenya, forming an experienced officiating team for the showpiece encounter.
The appointment was confirmed by CECAFA Interim Executive Director Jean Sseninde, who announced the officials selected for the tournament final.
CECAFA President Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam welcomed Artan’s return, describing him as one of Africa’s finest match officials whose achievements continue to inspire young referees across the continent.
He added that Artan’s presence reflects CECAFA’s commitment to maintaining high officiating standards in its premier club competition.
Artan and his assistants are expected to arrive in Kigali ahead of the final to complete their preparations for the decisive match.
The officiating team will also use the tournament as part of their preparations for the UEFA Super Cup, where they have also been appointed to handle the prestigious fixture.
Their selection for both competitions highlights the growing international recognition of East and Central African match officials.
Attention will now turn to the final, where Gor Mahia FC and Rayon Sports FC will battle for regional supremacy in front of an expected capacity crowd at Amahoro Stadium.
The winners of the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 will receive $30,000 in prize money, while the runners-up will earn $20,000 and the third-placed side will collect $10,000.
With one of Africa’s most respected referees in charge, organisers will be hoping for a well-managed final worthy of the region’s biggest club competition.
