Somali Referee Omar Artan Appointed for CECAFA Final Ahead of UEFA Super Cup

KIGALI — Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the reigning CAF Men’s Referee of the Year, has been appointed to officiate the final of the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup, set to take place on Friday, August 7, at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda. The appointment was confirmed by the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) on Sunday, August 2, bringing one of Africa’s most accomplished officials back to the regional stage. Artan was named the Confederation of African Football’s Men’s Referee of the Year for 2025, becoming the first Somali to reach the pinnacle of African refereeing[reference:0].

Artan will be assisted by two assistant referees: Liban Abdulrazack of Djibouti and Eliezer Stephen Yiembe of Kenya. The same officiating trio has also been selected to take charge of the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League champions Aston Villa, scheduled for August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.

Artan’s Remarkable Journey

Artan, 34, has established himself as one of Africa’s finest match officials in recent years. He was selected as the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup, a historic milestone that drew congratulations from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud[reference:1]. Born in Mogadishu in 1992, Artan became a FIFA-listed referee in 2018 and has steadily risen through the ranks[reference:2]. He made history in January 2024 as the first Somali to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations[reference:3] and later became the first Somali referee to take charge of a continental final, officiating the match between Egypt’s Pyramids FC and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in Cairo[reference:4].

In November 2025, Artan was crowned the CAF Best Male Referee of the Year at the CAF Awards ceremony in Rabat, Morocco[reference:5][reference:6]. President Hassan Sheikh hosted Artan at the Presidential Palace to recognize his achievement, commending his professionalism, commitment, and the outstanding efforts he has made to advance his refereeing career[reference:7].

However, Artan’s path to the top has not been without its challenges. In June 2026, he was denied entry into the United States to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite holding a valid visa and a diplomatic passport issued by the Somali government to facilitate his international travel[reference:8][reference:9]. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep regret over the US decision, describing Artan as a source of immense national pride[reference:10]. The denial drew widespread sympathy and support across the football world.

Despite this setback, Artan bounced back quickly, earning a prestigious appointment from UEFA for the Super Cup clash between PSG and Aston Villa[reference:11]. He was honoured in Nairobi and Kuwait amid growing global recognition, receiving an Award of Excellence from the Kuwait Football Association[reference:12][reference:13].

Artan’s ties to the region run deep. He has previously credited the Football Kenya Federation for supporting him through difficult periods of his career, including his U.S. visa ordeal. His appointment to the CECAFA Kagame Cup final brings him back to the region where he first honed his skills.

CECAFA Welcomes Artan Back to the Region

CECAFA Interim Executive Director Jean Sseninde announced the appointment on Sunday, with CECAFA President Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam welcoming Artan back to the region. “On behalf of CECAFA, I warmly welcome Artan back to our region as he officiates at the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026. Artan has become a symbol of excellence in African refereeing, and his remarkable achievements continue to inspire young match officials across the continent. His presence at our flagship competition reflects the high standards that CECAFA is committed to promoting, and we are proud that one of our own continues to represent Africa with distinction on the world stage,” he said.

The trio are expected to arrive in Kigali on Tuesday, August 4, and will use the CECAFA Kagame Cup platform to prepare for the UEFA Super Cup.

Semi-Final Lineup and Prize Money

The CECAFA Kagame Cup semi-finals will take place on Tuesday, August 4, at the Kigali Pele Stadium, with the following matchups:

• Gor Mahia FC (Kenya) vs. Al Hilal SC (Sudan)
• Rayon Sport FC (Rwanda) vs. Jamus SC (South Sudan)

Gor Mahia have been among the tournament’s standout performers, highlighted by an emphatic 5-0 victory over APR in the group stage, while Al Hilal advanced as the best second-placed team. Hosts Rayon Sports enter the semi-finals with a perfect record after winning all their group matches. They face a confident Jamus SC side that has emerged as the competition’s biggest surprise, having eliminated defending champions Singida Black Stars and topped their group.

The champions of the CECAFA Kagame Cup will pocket US$30,000, while the runner-up takes US$20,000, and the third-placed team receives US$10,000.

Critical Note

Omar Artan’s rise to the pinnacle of African refereeing is a source of pride for Somalia and the CECAFA region. His appointment to the CECAFA Kagame Cup final and the UEFA Super Cup is a testament to his skill, professionalism, and resilience in the face of adversity. However, the circumstances surrounding his denial of entry to the United States for the World Cup highlight the persistent challenges that African professionals face in accessing global platforms, even when they have earned their place through merit. The diplomatic incident, which involved Artan being barred despite holding a valid visa and a diplomatic passport, raises questions about the fairness and consistency of international travel policies and the treatment of African officials. While UEFA’s decision to appoint him to the Super Cup was a commendable gesture of solidarity, it does not erase the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup. Artan’s story is one of triumph over adversity, but it also underscores the need for greater equity and respect for African talent on the global stage. The Somali government and the wider football community should continue to advocate for the fair treatment of their officials and ensure that such incidents are not repeated.