The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Merveil Melvin Mandekouzou-Vendafara of the Central African Republic as the Centre Referee for the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round first-leg encounter between FC Diarra of Mali and Ghana’s Nations FC.

Mandekouzou-Vendafara will be assisted by Odrigue Menye Mpele of Cameroon and Elchior Telesphore Omokozoyen of the Central African Republic, who have been named as the Assistant Referees for the continental fixture.

Another Central African Republic official, Aime Landry Belly de Sombozo, has been appointed as the Fourth Official.

CAF has also named Belhassen Bessamra of Tunisia as the Match Commissioner, while Oulera Daloba of Guinea will serve as the Referees Assessor.

Nations FC will travel to Bamako, Mali, to face FC Diarra at the Stade Mamadou Konaté on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

Kick-off is scheduled for 16:00 GMT (4pm local time).

The Ghanaian side will be seeking a positive result on the road as they begin their quest to advance through the preliminary stage of the CAF Confederation Cup. The encounter is expected to provide Nations FC with a stern test as they seek to establish an advantage ahead of the return leg.