FIFA is considering a new appointment at the Confederation of African Football (CAF). According to journalist Romain Molina, the world football governing body is considering replacing the current General Secretary, Congolese Véron Mosengo-Omba, with Swiss national Gelson Fernandes.
Véron Mosengo-Omba, himself a former FIFA official, was appointed to the position in March 2021. However, his tenure has been a source of frustration, particularly due to his age. Internal sources believe he is past retirement age, justifying the potential reshuffle. Besides the age issue, Véron Mosengo-Omba is under investigation for suspicious payments to Swiss bank accounts. He is accused of receiving bonuses five times higher than authorized by his contract with CAF. Swiss authorities are particularly interested in cash withdrawals that would prevent tracing the use of these funds.
Gelson Fernandes, a former Swiss international footballer of Cape Verdean descent, joined FIFA's structures after his sporting career. He initially served as Regional Director for Africa from August 2022, before becoming Deputy Director of the FIFA Member Associations division on November 1, 2024. In this role, he oversees the development of African football through the FIFA Forward program.
However, his potential appointment to CAF raises questions. Some fear that this would strengthen FIFA's influence over African football. Romain Molina also criticizes Fernandes' past management, including his support for officials who have had legal troubles and his alleged interference in national elections.
Samson Adamu, the current CAF Director of Competitions, is also in contention for the position. However, his promotion would be frowned upon by several North African federations. The final choice between Fernandes and Adamu is therefore delicate, in a context where CAF's autonomy is regularly questioned. FIFA's decision will have a significant impact on the perception of African football governance.
