FRESH uncertainty within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has heightened speculation over Nigeria’s chances of advancing to the FIFA playoffs. This follows renewed calls for the 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 the CAF FIFA World Cup playoff final against Nigeria, last November, in Morocco.

The governance challenge was publicly raised by CAF executive committee member Samir Sobha, who also serves as president of the Mauritius Football Association.
He said that Mosengo-Omba, 66, is “occupying the seat illegally” under CAF’s employment regulations and therefore lacks a valid mandate to continue in office, and should step aside.

His remarks, first reported by The Guardian newspaper in the United Kingdom, add to concerns previously raised by Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana.
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 October 15, 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.
Sobha was quoted as saying. “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.”

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.