By Peter Omopo
Veron Mosengo-Omba, General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has resigned from his position amid growing controversy surrounding recent decisions involving major continental tournaments.
Mosengo-Omba announced his retirement in a statement on Sunday, noting that he was stepping down after addressing allegations and controversies that had trailed his tenure. His exit comes at a time when CAF is grappling with a crisis of confidence following disputes over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final and the postponement of the women’s tournament.
The outgoing secretary general, who served as deputy to CAF President Patrice Motsepe, said he was leaving the organisation “with peace of mind,” adding that he believed he had helped strengthen CAF during his time in office.
Mosengo-Omba, a 66-year-old official of Congolese and Swiss nationality, was appointed in March 2021. His tenure, however, attracted criticism, including concerns over his continued stay in office beyond CAF’s mandatory retirement age of 63. He was also accused by some staff members of fostering a toxic work environment, though an internal investigation reportedly cleared him of wrongdoing.
His resignation comes amid fallout from CAF’s controversial decision to strip Senegal of their AFCON title following their 1-0 victory over Morocco in the final. The match had been marred by a protest from Senegalese players over a late penalty awarded to the hosts, leading to a temporary walk-off before Senegal secured an extra-time winner.
Following an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation, CAF overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory—a decision that has sparked widespread debate and prompted Senegal to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
In the interim, CAF’s Competitions Director, Samson Adamu, is expected to assume the role of acting general secretary as the organisation navigates ongoing legal and administrative challenges.
The developments have intensified scrutiny on CAF’s governance and decision-making processes, with stakeholders across the continent calling for reforms to restore credibility in African football administration.
