CAF General Secretary Resigns Amid Controversies Surrounding AFCON Decisions

The general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Veron Mosengo-Omba, has resigned in the midst of significant turmoil affecting football governance in Africa.

In his resignation statement, which he has termed his retirement, Mosengo-Omba's departure coincides with the fallout from controversial decisions including the forfeiture of Senegal's rights to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and the abrupt postponement of a women's tournament.

These controversies have severely impacted the credibility of the CAF, contributing to a widespread crisis of confidence in its leadership. Mosengo-Omba acknowledged the turbulent nature of his tenure, referencing the challenges faced during his time in office.

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, he stated.

The 66-year-old executive has faced criticism for extending his tenure beyond the mandatory retirement age of 63. Additionally, he faced allegations from employees about fostering a toxic workplace environment, though investigations cleared him of wrongdoing.

Since being appointed in March 2021, Mosengo-Omba has led CAF through various challenges but now hands over the reins to Samson Adamu, who will serve as acting general secretary while the organization addresses pending issues.

In the wake of Senegal’s appeal against the title strupping, which sparked widespread protest during the AFCON final match against Morocco, CAF awaits a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.