By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Kenya, 7 July 2026 - African football officiating has reached another historic milestone after Kenyan assistant referee Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe was appointed to the officiating team for the 2026 UEFA Super Cup.
The prestigious fixture will see Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) face Aston Villa on 12 August 2026 at Stadion Salzburg in Austria, with an all-East African on-field officiating crew leading one of European football's biggest annual matches.
For Kenya, the appointment is particularly significant. Yiembe becomes the first Kenyan match official ever selected for a UEFA competition, marking a breakthrough not only for the country but also for East African refereeing on the global stage.
UEFA confirmed that the match will be officiated by:
- Referee: Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia)
- Assistant Referee 1: Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed (Djibouti)
- Assistant Referee 2: Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe (Kenya)
- Fourth Official: Rade Obrenovič (Slovenia)
- Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Marco Di Bello (Italy)
- Assistant VAR: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández (Spain)
The selection showcases growing confidence in African officials and highlights UEFA's increasing collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The UEFA Super Cup traditionally pits the reigning UEFA Champions League winners against the winners of Europe's secondary continental competition.
This year's edition features Paris Saint-Germain, the UEFA Champions League holders, taking on Aston Villa, who qualified through UEFA's club competitions. The fixture serves as the ceremonial curtain-raiser to the European club season and is regarded as one of UEFA's most prestigious annual events.
For Yiembe, officiating a match watched by millions worldwide is recognition of years of consistent performances at the highest level.
Yiembe has steadily established himself among Africa's elite assistant referees over the past several years.
Among his major career achievements are:
- FIFA-listed international assistant referee since 2018.
- Officiated at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
- Selected for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games football tournament.
- Appointed to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where he worked high-profile matches including:
- Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg
- Inter Milan vs Urawa Red Diamonds
- Served as Assistant VAR 2 during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final.
- Now becomes the first Kenyan official ever appointed to a UEFA competition.
His consistent appointments at FIFA and CAF tournaments have elevated his reputation internationally and demonstrated the increasing trust placed in Kenyan officials.
Omar Artan's Story Adds Greater Significance#
The appointment carries additional symbolism because the officiating team is led by Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan.
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Artan had originally been selected by FIFA for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but was unable to participate after being denied entry into the United States. Following discussions between UEFA and CAF, UEFA chose to appoint him as referee for the Super Cup instead.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin described Artan as one of Africa's outstanding referees, while CAF President Patrice Motsepe praised the appointment as recognition of African officiating excellence and an example of football bringing continents together.
The appointment also reflects the growing cooperation between UEFA and CAF.
Under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both governing bodies agreed to collaborate more closely in several areas, including:
- Referee development,
- Technical exchanges,
- Football education,
- Elite officiating opportunities.
Yiembe's inclusion alongside Artan and Ahmed represents one of the earliest high-profile examples of this partnership in action.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) described Yiembe's appointment as a landmark achievement for both the official and Kenyan football.
FKF Referees Manager Edward Lumbugu noted that UEFA's decision demonstrates growing international recognition of African referees and opens new pathways for future officials from Kenya and across the continent.
For many young referees in East Africa, Yiembe's journey offers proof that consistent excellence at domestic, continental, and FIFA competitions can lead to opportunities on football's biggest stages.
When Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa walk onto the pitch in Salzburg on 12 August, millions of football fans will focus on the players.
For Kenya and Africa, however, another story will be unfolding on the touchline.
Stephen Yiembe's presence among the officials is more than a personal achievement, it represents years of dedication, the rising reputation of African refereeing, and another important step toward greater representation in elite European football.
His historic appointment ensures that, alongside Somalia's Omar Artan and Djibouti's Liban Ahmed, Africa will be proudly represented on one of UEFA's grandest stages.