South African referee Abongile Tom has been appointed to officiate the first-leg encounter between CR Belouizdad and Zamalek SC in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The appointment, confirmed ahead of the highly anticipated tie, places Tom at the center of one of the standout fixtures in the competition’s knockout stage. Known for his firm control and consistency, the South African official will be tasked with managing what is expected to be an intense and closely contested affair.
Both CR Belouizdad and Zamalek SC enter the clash with strong continental pedigrees and ambitions of advancing deep into the tournament. The Algerian side will be looking to capitalize on home advantage in the first leg, while the Egyptian giants aim to secure a favorable result ahead of the return fixture.
Tom’s selection reflects growing confidence in African referees to handle high-stakes matches, as CAF continues to emphasize professionalism and quality officiating across its competitions.
With tensions expected to run high and margins likely to be fine, all eyes will be on the officiating team to ensure a fair and well-managed contest in this crucial Confederation Cup showdown.
