Ahmed Abu Bakr Al Kaf, one of Oman’s most decorated football officials, has called time on a refereeing career that spanned 20 years and took him to some of Asian football’s biggest occasions.
The announcement closes out a run that saw the Omani whistle-blower rise to become one of the region’s most trusted referees, entrusted with officiating three AFC Champions League finals — a rare distinction on the continental stage.
He took charge of the first leg of the 2016 final between South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and the UAE’s Al Ain, the second leg of the 2018 showpiece between Japan’s Kashima Antlers and Iran’s Persepolis, and the opening leg of the 2022 final pitting Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal against Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds.
In a farewell statement, Al Kaf reflected on a profession he said he had come to love deeply, recalling two decades built on rigorous physical preparation, constant travel and no shortage of pressure.
He acknowledged that his tenure had drawn both praise and criticism over the years, but described that mix as simply part of football’s character rather than a source of regret.
Beyond his final appearances, Al Kaf’s résumé includes ten consecutive seasons officiating in the AFC Champions League, along with stints at the AFC Asian Cup and the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, cementing his standing among the region’s most experienced match officials.
His exit marks the end of an era for Omani officiating, with few referees from the Sultanate having reached the level of continental recognition he achieved.
Football authorities and fans across the region are expected to mark the milestone as a significant moment for Omani sport, given how rarely local officials are handed marquee finals of that stature.
No word has yet emerged on whether Al Kaf will move into a coaching, mentoring or administrative role within Oman’s refereeing setup following his retirement.
