The Secretary-General of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Veron Mosengo-Omba, has announced his resignation, bringing an abrupt end to a tenure marked by growing controversy within African football’s governing body. In a statement released Sunday, the 66-year-old said he was stepping down to focus on “personal projects,” adding that he leaves with a “clear conscience” after addressing allegations raised against him. Mosengo-Omba, who was appointed in March 2021, served under CAF president Patrice Motsepe.
His exit comes at a turbulent time for Confederation of African Football, which has faced criticism over a series of contentious decisions. Chief among them is the fallout from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, where Senegal were initially crowned champions after a 1-0 extra-time win against Morocco. The match was marred by drama when Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty at 0-0. Although Morocco missed the penalty and Senegal later scored the winner, the Moroccan Football Federation successfully appealed the result. CAF’s appeals body overturned the outcome, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and stripping Senegal of the title.
Senegal has since challenged the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a ruling still pending. Mosengo-Omba’s leadership has also drawn scrutiny over internal governance issues. He faced criticism for remaining in office beyond CAF’s official retirement age of 63 and was accused by some staff of fostering a toxic work environment. However, an internal investigation cleared him of wrongdoing. According to reports, CAF Competitions Director Samson Adamu is expected to serve as acting Secretary-General while the organisation navigates its current challenges. Founded in 1957, CAF oversees football across 54 member associations and is responsible for major continental tournaments, including AFCON. The recent controversies have raised concerns about governance and transparency within the body, placing pressure on its leadership to restore credibility.
