AFCON 2025: The shocking statements from a CAF executive committee member on Mosengo-Omba

President of the Mauritius Football Federation, Samir Sobha was re-elected to the CAF Executive Committee during the last elections in March 2025 which was as often a source of tension and alliances of circumstance. Less than a year later, the latter no longer supports the governance of the body where affinities sometimes transcend the texts that govern it.

Sobha requests the departure of Veron Mosengo-Omba
On this point, Sobha expressed her dismay in the columns of the Guardian this Wednesday regarding the position of Veron Mosengo-Omba at the general secretariat of the CAF. Where many choose silence to protect their partisan interests, Sobha sets himself up as an antagonist for the respect of established rules. The latter is based on Article 130 of the internal regulations of the CAF which stipulates that the mandatory retirement age is 63 years. However, the current secretary celebrated his 63rd birthday in October 2022 and benefited from a three-year extension of her term which also ended in October 2025. And yet, he continues to fulfill his prerogatives. An aberration for Samir Sobha.

“In accordance with the statutes, he currently holds this position illegally. I don’t think the secretary general is legally empowered to make decisions or sign a document... I urge the president to rectify this situation... We must respect the statutes... On this point, the situation is clear," 

he insisted.

Presidents who disapprove in silence
For him,  CAF must enact  the departure of the Congolese «to ensure the rapid appointment of a fully competent and legitimate secretary-general», adding that the latter is no longer unanimously supported by a majority of the presidents of the member associations of the CAF. "At the moment, most presidents of African federations agree that Mr. Mosengo is no longer in office," reveals Sobha.

Aware of the resonance that his exit may have in public opinion, the Mauritian leader anticipated possible criticisms of an inappropriate approach, explaining that he could have made the same remarks before Mosengo-Omba if the latter was present at the last executive committee meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 

"If he had been present, I would have said it loud and clear, so that everyone knows, including the president, that I disapprove of his presence,"

 said Samir Sobha.

«An injustice has been committed against Morocco»
Definitely comfortable with the most sensitive subjects within the CAF, Amir Sobha also mentioned the incidents in the final of the 2025 AFCON which saw Senegal win (1-0) over Morocco. For him, the Senegalese players who left the field should have been punished without exception.

«I apologize to the Moroccan Football Federation for the injustice they have been victims of... The rules were not followed, as they should have been during this match. It is clear that after the exit of the Senegalese team from the field, all players should have been sanctioned with a yellow card," 

he said.

However, he acknowledges that the hypothesis of a withdrawal of the trophy from Senegal is unthinkable:

 "I am not saying that the trophy should be taken from the Senegalese team. It’s done, it’s done. Nothing can be changed. But we must put our ego aside and recognize that an injustice has been committed against the Moroccan national team. After reviewing the competition rules, I am certain that my position is justified.”

This release will not only raise a new wave of indignation among the general public, but is especially revealing of the disagreements within CAF where the challenge by appropriate means has given way to public disapproval of the management of the instance.