Nigeria’s Playoff Hopes Boosted As Congolese CAF Secretary General Faces Call To Step Down

Nigeria’s Playoff Hopes Boosted As Congolese CAF Secretary General Faces Call To Step Down 

By Niyi Busari 

Fresh uncertainty within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has heightened speculation over Nigeria’s chances of advancing to the FIFA playoffs, following renewed calls for Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba to step aside over questions surrounding the legality of his continued tenure.

Mosengo-Omba, a Congolese administrator, has come under scrutiny amid allegations that he may have influenced the handling of a petition submitted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to FIFA. The petition concerns the alleged fielding of ineligible players by the Democratic Republic of Congo in a recent CAF FIFA World Cup playoff final against Nigeria.

The governance challenge was publicly raised by CAF executive committee member Samir Sobha, who also heads the Mauritius Football Association. In comments first reported by The Guardian, Sobha claimed that Mosengo-Omba, 66, is “occupying the seat illegally” under CAF’s employment regulations and therefore lacks a valid mandate to continue in office.

At the centre of the dispute is Regulation 130 of CAF’s employment handbook, which stipulates a compulsory retirement age of 63, with provision for a single three-year extension at the discretion of the CAF president or general secretary. Mosengo-Omba, appointed in March 2021 at the age of 61, turned 63 in October 2022 and was subsequently granted a three-year extension by CAF president Patrice Motsepe.

According to Sobha, that extension expired on 15 October 2025.

“As per the statutes, he is occupying the seat illegally right now,” Sobha was quoted as saying. He argued that without a valid extension, the secretary general would not be in a legal position to make binding decisions or sign official documents, urging CAF’s leadership to “rectify this position” in accordance with its statutes.

Motsepe, speaking after CAF’s executive committee meeting in Dar es Salaam, declined to comment directly on the interpretation of the retirement rule. “Retirement is governed by our rules and regulations. 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,” he said.

Mosengo-Omba was absent from the Dar es Salaam meeting due to what CAF described as an urgent family matter in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nigeria Petition Awaits Verdict

Meanwhile, the NFF’s petition to FIFA over the alleged use of ineligible players by the Democratic Republic of Congo remains unresolved. The matter, initially expected to be determined earlier this week, has reportedly been referred to the FIFA Council for a final decision.

With CAF’s leadership facing public scrutiny and key regulatory questions under debate, the unfolding governance dispute may carry implications beyond administrative procedure — potentially influencing confidence in ongoing disciplinary and eligibility decisions at a critical juncture for Nigerian football.