Somali referee Omar Artan has been selected to officiate the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup final, scheduled for Friday, August 7, in Kigali, Rwanda. This appointment underscores Artan's standing as one of Africa's premier football officials, following a period of notable international recognition and challenges.
Artan, who earned the prestigious 2025 CAF Men's Referee of the Year award, has recently navigated a complex professional landscape. In June 2026, he faced an unexpected denial of entry into the United States, which prevented him from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World CupCompetition·FIFA World Cup, despite possessing a valid visa and diplomatic passport. However, this setback was swiftly followed by another high-profile assignment from UEFA, tasking him with officiating the Super Cup match between Paris Saint-GermainTeam·Paris Saint-Germain and Aston VillaTeam·Aston Villa later this month in SalzburgTeam·Salzburg, Austria.
His selection for the CECAFA Kagame Cup final is a testament to his consistent performance and the confidence placed in his abilities by regional and continental bodies. CECAFA President Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam welcomed Artan's involvement, stating, "His presence highlights 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."
The final will feature a compelling clash between Kenya's Gor Mahia FC and Rwanda's home side, Rayon Sport FC. Both teams navigated challenging paths to reach the championship match.
In the semi-finals, played on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Kigali Pele Stadium, Gor Mahia FC secured their spot by defeating Sudan's Al Hilal SC in a dramatic penalty shootout, 8-7, after the match concluded 1-1 in regular time. Gor Mahia's coach, Charles Kwablan Akonnor, praised his squad's resilience, noting, "I thank the players for playing their hearts out and winning against a strong Al Hilal team." Gor Mahia had previously topped a demanding group that included Ugandan champions Vipers and Rwanda's APR.
Rayon Sport FC earned their place in the final with a decisive 1-0 victory over Jamus SC from South Sudan. Rayon Sport's coach, Christian Francis Haringingo, expressed satisfaction with his team's progress, highlighting their perfect record in the group stage. "This is part of pre-season and we are now ready to face any team in the semi-final stage," Haringingo remarked, underscoring their readiness for the decisive encounter.
The 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup, which commenced on July 24, 2026, with 12 participating clubs, will culminate in this highly anticipated final. The champions will be awarded US$30,000, with the runners-up receiving US$20,000, and the third-placed team US$10,000, adding further incentive to the regional showpiece.
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