Referees Jelly Chavani, Abongile Tom, and Akhona Makalima are the only three South African match officials named on the CAF Elite A list for the 2026/27 interclub group stages.

CAF has released a 76-member list of match officials set to undergo a preparation course ahead of the continent’s flagship club competitions.

The group stages for both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup will kick off on the weekend of 27–29 November 2026.

This marks the first time Chavani has been included on the panel of referees to officiate in the group stages of CAF interclub competitions.

Although the 2019/20 Premier Soccer League [PSL] Referee of the Season has previously officiated at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the African Nations Championship [CHAN], and qualifiers for both the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON], he had yet to feature in the group stages of CAF’s continental club tournaments.

REFEREE JELLY CHAVANI SET TO MAKE CAF INTER-CLUB GROUP STAGE DEBUT

Along with Tom, Chavani is one of 35 referees selected to officiate in the two major African club football competitions. Tom featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, where he was part of a 52-member panel of match officials.

Meanwhile, Makalima is among the 15 Video Assistant Referee [VAR] officials who will also be in line to be assigned during the matches.

For Tom, the interclub group stages are familiar territory, having previously officiated in them, including during the 2025/26 season.

TWO SOUTH AFRICAN CLUBS TO TAKE PART IN THE CAF INTERCLUB COMPETITIONS

Meanwhile, the three PSL match officials will be joined by two South African clubs who have progressed to the group stages. This follows the shock elimination of reigning CAF Champions League title holders Mamelodi Sundowns as well as Kaizer Chiefs.

Reigning Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates and debutants Durban City FC are the only two clubs representing South Africa in the two competitions.

Pirates have been drawn in Group C of the Champions League alongside Tanzanian giants Simba SC, Morocco’s RS Berkane and Colombe Sportive from Cameroon.

Meanwhile, Durban City have been drawn in Group B of the Confederation Cup alongside Moroccan powerhouse AS FAR, Tanzanian ambitious side Azam FC and Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli.

Interestingly, three South African coaches, Steve Barker [Simba SC], Rulani Mokoena [Pyramids FC] and Eric Tinkler [Durban City] will lead their respective teams in the group stages.