Confederation of African Football general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba resigned on Sunday after repeated calls for his resignation and at a turbulent time for the game on the continent.
Mosengo-Omba said he was retiring, but his departure comes amid a crisis of confidence in the organisation’s leadership, with growing fallout over the decision to strip Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and calls for an investigation into alleged corruption at African football’s governing body.
There has been a lot of criticism in recent times about his remaining as general secretary well past the mandatory retirement age of 63, largely on social media, but also from members of the CAF executive committee.
“After more than 30 years of 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 in a statement.
“Now that I have been able to remove the suspicions that some people have gone to great lengths to accuse me of, I can retire with peace of mind and without restrictions, making the CAF more prosperous than ever.
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«I sincerely thank the President of the CAF, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, my teams and all those who, directly or indirectly, have enabled the CAF and organized African football to make real and remarkable progress. Let us hope that the progress made will continue and be sustained,» he concluded.
ACCUSED OF CREATING A TOXIC ATMOSPHERE
Mosengo-Omba was a divisive figure at CAF and was accused by some employees of creating a toxic workplace atmosphere, although an investigation following staff complaints cleared him of any wrongdoing.
The 66-year-old is of Congolese descent but a Swiss citizen and former FIFA employee who was a university friend of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Although he said he was retiring, Mosengo-Omba is expected to run for the post of president of the Democratic Republic of Congo Football Federation in elections in the coming months, sources said. Reuters.
If successful, it would put him in contention for the CAF’s top job when Motsepe steps down to enter politics in his native South Africa, where he is touted as a possible successor to President Cyril Ramaphosa. However, Motsepe has denied this.
Earlier this month, Motsepe admitted that CAF was struggling with questions about its integrity, and in the wake of the latest Cup of Nations controversy, the Senegalese government has called for an international investigation into the organization’s functioning.
Stripping Senegal of the Cup of Nations title was a decision of the CAF appeals committee, but as a result it has taken a heavy toll on the image of African football.
CAF said later on Sunday that competition director Samson Adamu would take over as acting general secretary.
Published on March 29, 2026
