The end of a historical era in the corridors of El Kef
announced Veron Mosengo-Omba his resignation as Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), bringing to a close a long and distinguished career spanning over 30 years of dedicated service within the continental federation. This move represents a significant turning point in the administrative structure of African football, particularly given the current challenges facing the sport across the continent.
General context and recent administrative challenges
Omba's resignation came at a sensitive time, following repeated pressure and calls for his dismissal after he exceeded the mandatory retirement age of 63 stipulated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regulations. This resignation coincides with a turbulent period in African football, marked by decisive rulings from appeals and disciplinary committees, most notably the radical changes concerning the hosting rights for major tournaments, such as awarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to Morocco and the subsequent restructuring of continental competitions.
In addition, towards the end of his tenure, Omba faced personal and administrative challenges, with some staff members accusing him of creating a toxic work environment within the continental federation's headquarters. However, the Secretary General underwent a thorough and independent internal investigation, which concluded with his complete exoneration from any professional or administrative misconduct, paving the way for his departure from office with what he described as "peace of mind.".
Historical background and the regional and international significance of the event
Veron Mosengo-Omba is one of the most prominent figures in football administration, possessing extensive legal and administrative experience gained from his previous work at FIFA before assuming the leadership of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Omba played a pivotal role in stabilizing CAF during the presidential transition and the tenure of Dr. Patrice Motsepe as CAF president. His departure now necessitates that the continental federation find a consensus candidate capable of continuing structural and financial reforms. This event has international implications, closely watched by FIFA, and regional repercussions affecting all national federations in Africa.
Farewell message and statements by Motsepe
In his emotional resignation statement, Mosengo-Omba said: “After more than 30 years of an international career dedicated to promoting an ideal form of football that brings people together, educates them, and creates opportunities for hope, I have decided to step down from my position as Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to dedicate myself to more personal projects.” He added, asserting his innocence: “Now that I have been able to dispel the doubts that some people have worked so hard to raise against me, I can retire with peace of mind and without constraints, leaving CAF more prosperous than ever.”.
Omba concluded his statement by expressing his deep gratitude to CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and to all the African football teams and organizations that have contributed to the tangible progress of the game. For his part, in a subsequent press conference, Motsepe revealed the local dimension of Omba's decision, denying that it was simply a traditional retirement. He explained, "Omba told me that the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo asked him to return and help develop local football," indicating that Omba's expertise will continue to serve African football, but from his home country.
