CAF Faces Leadership Shake-Up as Mosengo-Omba set to step aside

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is bracing for a period of uncertainty after its long-serving general secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, signaled his intention to step down. According to AfricaSoccer.com, the DR Congo official will vacate his post when CAF’s Executive Committee convenes in Cairo on Friday.

Mosengo-Omba’s decision comes amid mounting criticism over his continued stay in office despite surpassing the organization’s mandatory retirement age. “Sources within CAF’s Executive Committee indicate that if Mosengo-Omba refuses to resign, some members of the powerful board are prepared to formally push for his immediate removal,” AfricaSoccer.com reported.

At the heart of the controversy lies CAF’s Regulation 130, which sets the compulsory retirement age at 63, with a possible three-year extension. Mosengo-Omba, appointed in March 2021 at age 61, reached the threshold in October 2022. CAF president Patrice Motsepe granted him the maximum extension, which expired in October 2025. By rule, no further extensions were possible—yet Mosengo-Omba remained in office, even overseeing major tournaments like December’s AFCON in Morocco.

His prolonged stay has exposed deeper fissures within CAF. Critics argue that allowing a senior official to remain beyond the legal limit undermines the credibility of the organization’s governance. Some warn that contracts signed during this period could face challenges. The silence of CAF’s oversight bodies, including its Audit and Governance Committees, has only intensified concerns about accountability.

Mosengo-Omba’s close relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino has also drawn scrutiny. While FIFA has not commented publicly, critics interpret its silence as tacit support. Meanwhile, insiders describe the atmosphere around CAF’s leadership as increasingly “toxic,” prompting Mosengo-Omba to opt for a voluntary exit rather than a public confrontation.

With no deputy general secretaries appointed during his tenure, CAF now faces a leadership vacuum. The organization must quickly decide whether to prioritize succession planning or overhaul its governance structures to restore credibility.