The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is undergoing a significant leadership change after its Director of Member Associations, Veron Mosengo-Omba, submitted his resignation this week. The departure follows intense scrutiny over CAF’s management of the contentious CAF Champions League final between Morocco’s Wydad AC and Senegal’s Al Ahly SC, which was marred by logistical chaos and allegations of preferential treatment.
Mosengo-Omba, a Swiss-Congolese official who also served as the General Secretary of the African Football Confederation from 2021 to 2023, was a polarizing figure within the organization. His tenure was marked by several administrative controversies and internal disputes over governance. According to sources within CAF who spoke on condition of anonymity, his resignation was “accepted without delay” by the executive committee, signaling a desire to move past recent turbulence.
The immediate catalyst for the exit was the fallout from the 2023-24 Champions League final. The second leg, originally scheduled for Senegal, was abruptly moved to Morocco after Wydad AC appealed a CAF decision. This led to accusations from Senegalese officials and fans of bias and poor planning, creating a diplomatic rift between the football associations of the two nations. Analysts note the controversy highlighted deeper, systemic issues within CAF’s competition management and decision-making processes.
“This resignation is not an isolated event but a symptom of the ongoing governance challenges facing African football’s top body,” said a sports analyst specializing in African affairs. “The handling of the final amplified existing frustrations among member associations regarding transparency and consistency.”
Looking ahead, Mosengo-Omba’s departure creates a vacancy in a key administrative role during a critical period. CAF is preparing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and navigating complex commercial and broadcast negotiations. The organization’s ability to restore confidence among its members and manage future high-stakes tournaments will likely depend on the appointment of a successor perceived as neutral and effective.