CAF SECRETARY GENERAL RESIGNS AMID AFCON FINAL FALLOUT

 

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The general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has resigned amid a chaotic time for football on the continent.

Veron Mosengo-Omba said in a statement he was retiring, but his departure comes during the fallout over decisions to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and postpone the women's tournament at the last minute.

These incidents have left CAF, the governing body for African football, battling a crisis of confidence.

Mosengo-Omba alluded to controversies faced during his tenure in his statement on Sunday.

"Now that I have been able to dispel the suspicions that some people have gone to great lengths to cast on me, I can retire with peace of mind and without constraint, leaving the CAF more prosperous than ever," Mosengo-Omba, deputy to Caf president Patrice Motsepe, wrote.

The 66-year-old has been criticised for staying on as general secretary past the organisation's mandatory retirement age of 63.

He has also been accused by some employees of creating a toxic atmosphere in the workplace, although an investigation after staff complaints cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Mosengo-Omba, who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo but also holds Swiss nationality, was appointed general secretary in March 2021.

According to news agency Reuters, Caf's competitions director, Samson Adamu, will take over as acting general secretary.

The governing body is awaiting a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Senegal's appeal against being stripped of the Afcon title.

Senegal is challenging CAF's appeals body for overturning their 1-0 win over hosts Morocco in January's Afcon final.

During the game, Senegal's players left the field in protest when, with the score at 0-0, hosts Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty.

When they returned after a delay of about 17 minutes, Morocco subsequently failed to score the spot-kick and Senegal netted an extra-time winner.

Following an appeal by the Moroccan FA (FRMF), Caf later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match and Morocco were awarded a 3-0 victory.

- Wedaeli Chibelushi

FORMER AFCON-WINNING COACH TAKES AIM AT MOTSEPE OVER AFCON DECISION

 Veteran coach Claude Le Roy has criticised Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe following the decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

Motsepe 'Attacked' Over 2025 AFCON Decision. Photo: Gallo Images

CAF confirmed that the 2025 AFCON title would be awarded to Morocco after Senegal were deemed to have forfeited the final by walking off the pitch in protest over a penalty awarded to the Atlas Lions.

The decision has sparked widespread backlash, and with the controversy ongoing, Le Roy has now voiced his strong opposition.⁸

According to WiW Sport, the Frenchman described the ruling as “incomprehensible” and was particularly critical of Motsepe.

"I couldn't imagine for a second that the CAF could go so far down this path of absurdity," Le Roy said.

"But when you see how the CAF is run today by Patrice Motsepe, who is essentially Gianni Infantino's lackey, you understand certain things better. From the start, some were determined to give the cup to Morocco. Yet, even though Morocco had a very good AFCON and deserved to go far in the competition, in the final, it was clearly Senegal who were the better team. No one could have imagined that we would hear such a decision two months later," he added.

The 78-year-old suggested the matter is far from resolved and believes further developments are likely, including the possibility of Senegal being reinstated as champions.

"We're in the middle of an election period, so we can imagine all sorts of things happening, only to ultimately decide that Morocco is the champion," Le Roy explained.

"I think this isn't over yet, and Senegal will eventually have its rights restored. But, once again, it's a disgrace to the image of the Confederation of African Football. I think that, initially, there will be an appeals committee, since this is a preliminary ruling," the former Ghana national football team coach continued.

"Then, depending on the outcome, the case could be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. But I fear that this decision, unfortunately for a continent with so much potential, will be a laughingstock for the entire football world," he concluded.

- Matthew Petersen

NIGERIA VS. TANZANIA | AFCON 2025 | MOROCCO 25

 

AFCON COUNTDOWN – GHANA’S GOLDEN 1960S

Ghana fans

As Africa counts down to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), it’s impossible to overlook the legacy built by the tournament’s earliest giants. Among them, Ghana’s dominance throughout the 1960s stands as one of the most remarkable periods in the continent’s football history.

In just six years, the Black Stars rose from newcomers to a continental force—reaching three straight finals and lifting the trophy twice. It’s a fitting moment to revisit the era that first established Ghana among Africa’s elite.

Ghana made their AFCON debut in 1963 as hosts, stepping onto the continental stage with confidence and cohesion uncommon for a first-time participant. Guided by the visionary leadership of coach Charles Kumi Gyamfi, the team quickly captured the imagination of fans.

The final at the Accra Sports Stadium pitted Ghana against Sudan, and with inspired performances from the likes of Edward Acquah and Wilberforce Mfum, the Black Stars secured an emphatic 3–0 win. In doing so, they became the first nation since Egypt to win the tournament on debut—a powerful indication of what lay ahead.

The momentum carried into 1965, when Ghana travelled to Tunisia to defend their title. The storyline was compelling: the reigning champions on foreign soil, facing off against the host nation. Yet the Black Stars remained resolute. In a tightly contested final, they defeated Tunisia 3–2, with goals from Osei Kofi and Frank Odoi ensuring back-to-back championships. At the time, only Egypt had previously won the trophy twice, and Ghana now joined them in that rare company.

By 1968, Ghana stood on the brink of unprecedented history. No team had ever claimed three consecutive AFCON titles. The tournament in Ethiopia saw the Black Stars march to the final once again, this time facing Congo-Kinshasa (now DR Congo). What many expected to be a crowning moment instead became a hard-fought battle, with Ghana narrowly losing 1–0. Though the dream of a historic treble slipped away, their presence in a third straight final confirmed their status as one of Africa’s most formidable sides.

The achievements of that decade were about more than silverware. They laid the groundwork for generations to come, proving that tactical discipline, homegrown expertise, and bold ambition could lift a team to the summit of African football. Under C.K. Gyamfi’s guidance, and with the contributions of players like Mfum, Odoi, and Addo Odametey, Ghana built a legacy that continues to shape the nation’s football identity.

- Graeme Jackson

UGANDA CRANES' FIXTURES AT AFCON 2025

Uganda Cranes XI Vs Congo | Credit: Toni Kamau
 

The Draws for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations were successfully held on Monday in Rabat, Morocco with teams learning their group opponents.

Uganda is among the 24 nations that will compete at the coveted tournament slated to take place between 21st December 2025 and 18th January 2026.

The Cranes were pitted in Group C that has Nigeria, Tunisia and neighbours Tanzania.

In its eighth appearance at this stage, Uganda Cranes will begin the tournament against Tunisia.

The game will take place on 23rd December 2025 at Stade Olympique Annexe Complexe Prince Moulay Abdellah.

The Group stage business for Uganda will end against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on 30th December at Complexe Sportif De Fes.

- JOEL MUYITA

'NIGERIA CAN WIN AFCON 2025, BUT THE SUPER EAGLES WILL NOT' - SEGUN ODEGBAMI REVEALS

Segun Odegbami has offered a blunt assessment of the Super Eagles ahead of the 2025 AFCON.

Legendary Nigerian footballer Segun Odegbami has shared his thoughts on the Super Eagles' chances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), offering a blunt assessment of the team’s prospects.

Despite expressing confidence in Nigeria's potential to win the 2025 AFCON, former Super Eagles star believes the team is unlikely to secure the continental title.

The Super Eagles will look to go a step further after the heartbreaking loss to the Ivory Coast in AFCON2023.
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 What Odegbami said

Odegbami, a key figure in Nigeria's football history, has always been outspoken about the state of the national team.

In his recent column on Complete Sports, the ex-footballer acknowledged Nigeria's immense talent but also pointed out areas where he feels the Super Eagles fall short.

He said, "From December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, the world will be treated to the best of African football, once again. My immediate feeling is that Nigeria can win AFCON 2025, but the Super Eagles will not!

New Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle during his unveiling in Abuja.
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"It has been a battle between my heart (for patriotic reasons) that wills the Eagles to win it, and my head that tells me they are not good enough to win it this time around.

The draws of the TotalEnergies CAF African Cup of Nations, AFCON 2025, were concluded last week in Rabat, Morocco. The road to the most prestigious football championship in Africa was, thus, flung open to analysts and soothsayers, and the wagering war has begun,"

 "He continued, "So far, I see nothing in my Crystal ball that even remotely suggests that the Super Eagles are one of the favorites to win it. Can they? Yes, on paper. Will they? In my realistic consideration, far from it. However, in football, anything can happen, more so that, as the cliche goes, ‘there are no more minnows in African football’."

As the Super Eagles prepare for the 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, there is no shortage of expectations.

The three-time African champions have been drawn into Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.

- Hassan Abdulsalam