African Football Chief Accused of Illegal Tenure Amid Age Rule Dispute
A prominent member of the Confederation of African Football's executive committee has publicly declared that the organization's general secretary, Véron Mosengo-Omba, is "occupying the seat illegally" and must be removed from his position immediately. This accusation stems from allegations that Mosengo-Omba has surpassed the compulsory retirement age as stipulated in CAF's official regulations, raising significant questions about governance and statutory compliance within the continental football body.
Statutory Violations and Executive Outcry
Samir Sobha, who serves as the president of the Mauritius Football Association, has taken a firm stance against Mosengo-Omba's continued presence at CAF meetings. Sobha asserts that the 66-year-old Swiss-Congolese lawyer no longer holds his role legitimately, citing regulation 130 of CAF's employment handbook, which explicitly sets the compulsory retirement age for staff at 63 years old. According to the rules, a single three-year extension may be granted at the discretion of the president or general secretary, but Sobha argues that this provision has been improperly applied or exceeded in this case.
Mosengo-Omba assumed the general secretary position in March 2021 at the age of 61, reaching the age of 63 on October 15, 2022. He was subsequently granted a three-year extension by CAF's president, Patrice Motsepe, which officially expired on October 15, 2025. Sobha contends that, based on these timelines, Mosengo-Omba is currently serving without a valid mandate. "As per the statutes, he is occupying the seat illegally right now," Sobha stated emphatically. "I don't think that the SG is in any legal position to make decisions, to sign a document ... I'm pleading with the president to rectify this position ... We need to respect the statutes."
Leadership Response and Broader Implications
When questioned about Mosengo-Omba's status following a recent executive committee meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, President Patrice Motsepe offered a measured response. The South African billionaire emphasized that retirement matters are governed by CAF's rules and regulations, noting, "We deal with those things not just in accordance with legality, but also with governance. We will take the best decision as CAF, concerning employees." However, Sobha expressed concerns about the direction of CAF's leadership, stating, "Patrice Motsepe is a very good person; that's my personal opinion. But it happens that things are not going in the right direction. Some issues need to be fixed."
Mosengo-Omba was notably absent from the recent meeting due to an urgent family matter in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sobha indicated that had Mosengo-Omba been present, he would have voiced his objections directly to ensure all members were aware of the alleged statutory breach. "Had he been there, I would have voiced it out, to let everyone know, including the president, that I don't agree that Mr. Mosengo should be sitting there," the Mauritian executive remarked.
Apology for Past Injustices in African Football
In addition to the controversy surrounding Mosengo-Omba, Sobha extended a public apology to Morocco for what he described as "a great injustice" during last month's Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat. Morocco suffered a 1-0 defeat to Senegal after a disputed penalty decision led to Senegal temporarily abandoning the field, with play resuming 15 minutes later. Sobha argued that the rules were not properly enforced, suggesting that all Senegalese players should have received yellow cards for leaving the pitch. "They were robbed," he asserted, while clarifying that he does not seek to revoke Senegal's trophy but rather acknowledge the mishandling of the situation. "We should put our ego aside and agree that an injustice has been done to the Moroccan national team."
This incident, coupled with the allegations against Mosengo-Omba, underscores ongoing challenges in African football governance, including adherence to statutes and fair play protocols. Sobha, who was re-elected to the CAF executive committee in March of last year, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability to uphold the integrity of the sport across the continent.
