CAF General Secretary Resigns Amid Controversy
In the wake of ongoing upheaval at the Confederation of African Football (CAF), General Secretary Belong Mosengo-Omba has announced his resignation. This comes shortly after Senegal was controversially stripped of its African Cup of Nations title, a decision sparked by protests from the Senegalese team over a controversial penalty granted to Morocco during the match, a penalty that was ultimately saved but nevertheless led to Morocco being declared champions.
Background on Senegal’s Title Stripping
Following the decision to revoke Senegal’s title, the team’s public display of defiance included leaving the pitch in protest. The fallout from this incident has further destabilized the leadership at CAF and raised serious questions about governance within African football.
Mosengo-Omba’s Statement and Reasons for Resignation
Mosengo-Omba, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, did not explicitly address the circumstances surrounding Senegal’s title loss in his resignation announcement. Instead, he stated, “I have decided to step down as CAF Secretary-General to focus on more personal projects.” He expressed a sense of relief, claiming to have dispelled suspicions about his leadership that some had cast upon him, and expressed optimism for CAF’s future prosperity.
Leadership Transition at CAF
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe confirmed during a press conference streamed on the organization’s YouTube channel that Mosengo-Omba resigned at the request of Democratic Republic of the Congo President Félix Tshisekedi. This move is intended to foster the development of football in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Motsepe expressed gratitude for Mosengo-Omba’s contributions, stating, “We are very thankful to Veron for his work toward the development and growth of African football.”
Appointment of Interim General Secretary
Caf’s Director of Competition, Samson Adamu from Nigeria, will serve as interim General Secretary. Motsepe expressed confidence in Adamu’s capabilities, stating, “Samson has already begun his duties and will continue to lead us.” The vice presidents of CAF will oversee the process for appointing a permanent successor and will report to Motsepe on their progress.
CAF’s Commitment to Reform
Despite Senegal’s drama, the CAF trophy was still paraded before a friendly match against Peru in Paris. CAF has announced it will implement changes to its Statutes and Regulations aimed at restoring trust in its officiating and governance. In a statement, the organization highlighted the need for improvements to ensure that incidents like the one during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final do not recur.
Future Legal Adjustments and Standards for Officials
Motsepe plans to travel to Senegal in the coming weeks to further address the fallout from the decision. He revealed that CAF has sought extensive legal counsel from leading experts in both African and international football to align its statutes with global best practices. The commitment to professionalizing refereeing and ensuring fair compensation for VAR operators was underscored, along with CAF’s ongoing efforts to promote governance and transparency in the sport.
Commitment to Fair Treatment of Member Associations
Emphasizing CAF’s commitment to equity, Motsepe stated that all member associations will be treated equally, with no preferential treatment given to any party. He confirmed that the incident during the Africa Cup of Nations final would be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for further examination, indicating CAF’s intention to accept and implement any determinations made by CAS.
