CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: BURGUNDIAN QUARTET TO OFFICIATE BIBIANI GOLD STARS VS JS KABYLIE

By: Isaac Amponsah (Dr Ike) and Aaron Kintoh

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the officiating team for Bibiani Gold Stars FC's TotalEnergies CAF Champions League preliminary-round first-leg encounter with JS Kabylie, scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Match Officials:

Centre Referee: Georges Gatogato (Burundi)

Assistant Referee I: Emery Niyongabo (Burundi)

Assistant Referee II: Olivier Nibogora (Burundi)

Fourth Official: Bertrand Manirakiza (Burundi)

Match Commissioner: Alhaji Babagana Kalli Kalli(Nigeria)

Bibiani Gold Stars FC, the Ghanaian champions, will aim for a strong start as they face the Algerian side in this crucial first-leg preliminary-round tie of the continent's premier club competition .

The Profile of Georges Gatogato: FIFA-Listed Referee from Burundi

Burundian FIFA-listed referee Georges Gatogato has been an international football official since at least 2007. He is a regular referee in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and has officiated matches in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the CAF Champions League.

Key Facts about Georges Gatogato:

FIFA Recognition: First listed as a FIFA referee in 2007 and re-confirmed on the international list in January 2025.

Major Tournament Experience: Selected to officiate at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Notable Appointments:

   September 2025: Named center referee for the CAF Champions League preliminary-round match between Ghana's Bibiani Gold Stars and Algeria's JS Kabylie.

   November 2024: Officiated the AFCON qualifier between Angola and Ghana.

   August 2025: Served as fourth official for a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Algeria and Botswana.

Profession: In addition to his refereeing career, Gatogato is an urban engineer .

Georges Gatogato's Refereeing Statistics:

- CAF Champions League:5 appearances, 23 yellow cards, 0 red cards

- CAF Confederation Cup:5 appearances, 23 yellow cards, 1 red card

- Africa Cup of Nations Qualification:5 appearances, 23 yellow cards, 0 red cards

- World Cup Africa Qualifiers:4 appearances, 13 yellow cards, 1 double yellow card, 0 red cards

- Africa Nations Championship:2 appearances, 12 yellow cards, 0 red cards

- Africa U-23 Cup of Nations:1 appearance, 2 yellow cards, 0 red cards

Overall Statistics:22 appearances, 96 yellow cards, 1 double yellow card, 1 red card