By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Caption: CAF general secretary Veron Mossengo-Omba (Left) and Guinea Minister of Sport, Lansana Bea Diallo (Right). Image Veron Mossengo X.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) general secretary Veron Mossengo-Omba resigned on Sunday amid deepening the crisis triggered by controversial Africa Cup of Nations final.
There has been a criticism of his staying on as general secretary well past the organisation’s mandatory retirement age of 63, from members of CAF’s executive committee.
After over 30 years of an international professional career dedicated to promoting an ideal form of football that brings people together, educates, and creates opportunities for hope, I have decided to step down from my position as Secretary General of Caf to devote myself to more personal projects,” Mosengo-Omba said in a statement.
“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.”
“I sincerely thank the Caf’s President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, my teams, and all those who, directly or indirectly, have enabled Caf and organised African football to make real and remarkable progress. Let us hope that the progress made will last and be sustained.”
Mosengo-Omba has been a divisive figure at Caf, accused by some employees of creating a toxic atmosphere in the workplace although an investigation after staff complaints cleared him of any wrongdoing.
The 66-year-old is of Congolese origin but a Swiss citizen and former Fifa employee who was a university friend of Fifa president, Gianni Infantino.
Mosengo-Omba is expected to run for the post of president of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s football federation in elections in the coming months.
CAF said on Sunday that its competitions director and the Nigerian Football Federation said Samson Adamu will take over as acting general secretary.
The controversy over the AFCON final continues to cast a shadow over CAF’s governance. Senegal has appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and a reversal of the decision could further undermine the organisation’s credibility.
Motsepe acknowledged the challenges, admitting earlier this month that CAF was struggling with perceptions about its integrity.