The general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), Veron Mosengo-Omba, has resigned during a chaotic period for football in Africa. In a recent statement, he announced his retirement amidst the fallout over CAF's decisions to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title and the last-minute postponement of the women's tournament. These events have plunged the CAF into a crisis of confidence.
In his resignation statement, Mosengo-Omba alluded to the controversies faced during his tenure, stating, 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.
At 66 years old, Mosengo-Omba has faced criticism for remaining in his position past the organization’s mandatory retirement age of 63, and he has been accused by some employees of fostering a toxic work environment. Although inquiries into staff complaints cleared him of any wrongdoing, the controversies have not subsided.
Originally appointed in March 2021, Mosengo-Omba's departure happens as CAF's competitions director, Samson Adamu, is set to take over as acting general secretary. The French-run organization is awaiting a decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding Senegal’s appeal against being stripped of their Afcon title after a controversial match against Morocco.
In that game, Senegal's players protested against a stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco. Upon returning after a lengthy delay, Morocco missed the penalty, leading to Senegal's eventual victory in extra time. However, after an appeal by the Moroccan FA, CAF controversially reversed the decision, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and stripping Senegal of the title.
In his resignation statement, Mosengo-Omba alluded to the controversies faced during his tenure, stating, 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.
At 66 years old, Mosengo-Omba has faced criticism for remaining in his position past the organization’s mandatory retirement age of 63, and he has been accused by some employees of fostering a toxic work environment. Although inquiries into staff complaints cleared him of any wrongdoing, the controversies have not subsided.
Originally appointed in March 2021, Mosengo-Omba's departure happens as CAF's competitions director, Samson Adamu, is set to take over as acting general secretary. The French-run organization is awaiting a decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding Senegal’s appeal against being stripped of their Afcon title after a controversial match against Morocco.
In that game, Senegal's players protested against a stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco. Upon returning after a lengthy delay, Morocco missed the penalty, leading to Senegal's eventual victory in extra time. However, after an appeal by the Moroccan FA, CAF controversially reversed the decision, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and stripping Senegal of the title.
