CAF general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba has stepped down as the organization continues to navigate a challenging period.
Earlier this month, Senegal was stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title, with Morocco being named champions, following Senegal’s team leaving the field in protest over a late penalty awarded to Morocco, which was ultimately saved.
Mosengo-Omba, hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, did not reference this incident in his resignation statement but expressed: “I have chosen to resign from my role as Secretary General of CAF to focus on personal projects.”
“Having cleared the doubts that some individuals have worked hard to cast upon me, I can depart with a sense of tranquility and without pressure, leaving CAF in a more prosperous state than ever.”
CAF president Dr. Patrice Motsepe informed reporters during a news conference streamed on CAF’s YouTube channel that Mosengo-Omba had resigned to “assist with football development in the Democratic Republic of Congo” at the request of the country’s president, Felix Tshisekedi.
Motsepe further stated: “We are immensely thankful to Veron for his contributions and the efforts he made towards the advancement and growth of African football.”
Samson Adamu, CAF’s director of competitions from Nigeria, has assumed the role on an interim basis, and Motsepe remarked: “I am confident that Samson will perform well. He has already commenced his duties and will be leading us moving forward.”
“The vice-presidents will oversee the process and report to me regarding the appointment of a permanent general secretary.”
Senegal claimed the AFCON final in extra time before the lengthy delay that led to them being stripped of the title, only to showcase the trophy ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Peru in Paris.
A statement from CAF on Sunday indicated: “The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) announced today that it is enacting changes and enhancements to the CAF Statutes and Regulations that will bolster trust and confidence in CAF referees, VAR operators, and the CAF Disciplinary Board and Appeal Board.”
“These modifications and enhancements will also ensure that the incidents that occurred during the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 do not recur.”
Motsepe, who plans to visit Senegal in the upcoming weeks to address the matter, stated: “CAF has sought extensive legal counsel from leading African and international football lawyers and experts to ensure that the CAF Statutes and Regulations comply with and implement global football best practices, both on and off the field.”
“We must also professionalize African referees and VAR operators and provide them with adequate compensation. CAF has made notable strides over the past five years in adopting governance, ethics, transparency, and managerial best practices.
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“It is also imperative that we maintain our commitment and resolve to treat every member association equally and justly. Under no circumstances will any member association receive preferential treatment over another.
“The issues related to the incidents that occurred during the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 are currently before [the Court of Arbitration for Sport]. We will honor and implement whatever decision is rendered by CAS.”
