The referee of the summit is not just a starting signal... an unexpected development in Oberinovic's career ahead of the anticipated match.
Slovenian referee Rade Obrenovic is set for a crucial officiating test at 8 PM today, Sunday, at Cairo International Stadium, having been chosen to oversee the 133rd Cairo Derby between Al Ahly and Zamalek in the Egyptian Premier League.
Obrenovic has extensive refereeing experience at both European and international levels, holding an international badge since 2017. He is among the elite referees of UEFA and has a diverse professional background, working as a psychologist alongside his refereeing career.
Who is Rade Obrenovic, the referee for the Al Ahly vs. Zamalek match?
The Slovenian referee was born on August 28, 1990, and began his officiating career in local competitions before progressing to continental and international matches.
Obrenovic earned his international badge in 2017, allowing him to enter a new phase in his career, where he officiated matches at the European championship level and gained valuable experience in handling high-pressure games.
Obrenovic has experience in the UEFA Champions League
The Slovenian referee has officiated UEFA Champions League matches, with his encounter between Belgian side Royal Antwerp and Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 being one of the highlights of his career in the tournament.
He has also officiated several international and continental matches, providing him with additional experience ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Al Ahly and Zamalek, which attracts significant fan attention.
The referee recently officiated a match between France and Belgium
Among Obrenovic's recent assignments was officiating a match between the national teams of France and Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on September 28, 2026, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the French team.
The Al Ahly vs. Zamalek match is one of the biggest challenges the Slovenian referee faces currently, given the importance of the game in the Egyptian league standings and the pressure associated with clashes between the two giants.
A psychologist alongside his refereeing career
An interesting fact about Rade Obrenovic is that he works as a psychologist alongside his refereeing career, allowing him to balance two different professions in terms of nature and responsibilities.
In addition to his medical work, the Slovenian referee has gained significant experience on the pitch, having officiated hundreds of matches at various levels, which has equipped him to handle challenging refereeing situations.
Statistics of the Slovenian referee in his career
The statistics reveal the number of matches Obrenovic has officiated throughout his career, with his most notable figures being as follows:
343 matches officiated during his career.
1407 yellow cards issued to players.
31 red cards during the matches he has officiated.
85 penalties awarded throughout his career.
These statistics reflect the extent of his experience in managing matches that require decisive decisions and handling various refereeing situations on the field.
Slovenian officiating crew for the Al Ahly vs. Zamalek match
Obrenovic leads a Slovenian officiating crew for the Al Ahly vs. Zamalek match, assisted by Yuri Brabrotnik and Griga Kordez as assistant referees.
David Schmaitz serves as the fourth official, while Mati Jog manages the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, assisted by David Gabrovic, as part of the team assigned to officiate the upcoming derby.
All eyes will be on the officiating crew's performance during the match, given the importance of the three points for both teams and the desire to achieve a positive result in one of the most significant matches of the Egyptian football season.
