Gambiaj.com – (CAIRO, Egypt) – Veron Mosengo-Omba has officially resigned as general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), bringing an abrupt end to a tenure marked by reforms but overshadowed in recent months by governance disputes and mounting controversy within African football.
In a statement issued from Cairo on Sunday, 29 March 2026, the Congolese football administrator confirmed his departure, just as CAF’s Executive Committee convened at the organization’s headquarters. His resignation follows days of speculation after reports emerged that several members of the executive leadership were preparing to push for his removal if he did not step down voluntarily.
“After over 30 years of an international professional career dedicated to promoting an ideal form of football that brings people together, educates, and creates opportunities for hope, I have decided to step down from my position as Secretary General of CAF to devote myself to more personal projects,” Mosengo-Omba said.
Pressure From Within CAF
Mosengo-Omba’s position had come under growing scrutiny after he remained in office beyond CAF’s mandatory retirement threshold. Under Regulation 130, staff are expected to retire at the age of 63, with a maximum three-year extension permitted.
Appointed in March 2021, Mosengo-Omba reached the limit of that extension in October 2025 after receiving approval from CAF president Patrice Motsepe. His continued stay beyond that period drew criticism from some members of CAF’s leadership, who raised concerns over governance standards and compliance with the organization’s internal regulations.
Sources within CAF had described the atmosphere surrounding his role as increasingly “toxic,” with internal tensions intensifying ahead of the executive meeting that ultimately coincided with his resignation.
In his statement, Mosengo-Omba suggested that allegations and suspicions surrounding his leadership had weighed heavily on him.
“Now that I have been able to dispel the suspicions that some people have gone to great lengths to cast on me, I can retire with peace of mind and without constraint, leaving the CAF more prosperous than ever,” he said.
AFCON Decision Sparks Wider Backlash
Mosengo-Omba’s exit also comes at a sensitive moment for African football, following CAF’s controversial decision to strip Senegal’s national football team of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to the Morocco national football team.
The ruling triggered a wave of criticism across Senegal and among sections of the African football community, with many questioning the transparency and legitimacy of the decision.
In response, a group of Senegalese lawyers announced plans to open an investigation into alleged corruption linked to the ruling, including possible legal action in United States jurisdictions. The move has further intensified scrutiny of CAF’s governance practices and decision-making processes.
Reforms Marred by Allgations of Collusion With FIFA
During his five-year tenure, Mosengo-Omba oversaw a period of institutional transformation within CAF. The organization experienced improved financial stability, expanded competitions, and increased commercial revenues.
His administration also pursued reforms aimed at strengthening CAF’s administrative structures and enhancing its global visibility, particularly through partnerships and strategic initiatives designed to modernize African football governance.
However, his leadership also faced criticism over internal appointments and allegations of favoritism, while his close relationship with Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, drew scrutiny from some observers who questioned the influence of external actors on CAF’s internal affairs.
Despite the controversies, Mosengo-Omba thanked those he worked with during his time in office.
“I sincerely thank the CAF’s President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, my teams, and all those who, directly or indirectly, have enabled CAF and organized African football to make real and remarkable progress,” he said.
A Legacy of Controversy Amid Future Leadership Battles
Mossengo-Omba has been a divisive figure at CAF, accused by some employees of creating a toxic atmosphere at the workplace, although an investigation after staff complaints cleared him of any wrongdoing.
The 66-year-old is of Congolese origin but a Swiss citizen and former FIFA employee who was a university friend of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Although he said he was retiring, Mossengo-Omba is expected to run for the post of president of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s football federation in elections in the next months, sources told Reuters.
If successful, that would thrust him into contention for CAF’s top job should Motsepe resign to enter politics in his native South Africa, where he is being touted as a possible successor to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Motsepe has, however, denied this.
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