Véron Mosengo-Omba elected FECOFA president amid controversy

Former Confederation of African Football (CAF) Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba has officially been elected president of the Fédération Congolaise de Football Association (FECOFA) following the federation’s General Assembly held on Wednesday in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mosengo-Omba will now lead Congolese football for the next four years, succeeding a long period of instability and FIFA supervision that followed the departure of former FECOFA president Constant Omari, who headed the federation from 2003 until 2021.

Although his victory had long been expected, the election did not receive unanimous support.

According to local reports, Mosengo-Omba secured 60 votes out of a possible 65 during the vote.

The election process itself sparked criticism and controversy after several potential candidates were either disqualified or withdrew from the race before voting day.

Among those sidelined was former DR Congo captain Shabani Nonda, while Jean-Didier Masamba and Bosco Mwehu later pulled out of the contest, leaving Mosengo-Omba as the sole remaining candidate.

His election has therefore been described by many observers as a formality rather than a competitive democratic process.

Critics have also raised concerns over alleged favoritism, political influence, and procedural irregularities surrounding the vote.

Mosengo-Omba is widely known for his close relationship with Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, and some reports in Congolese media portrayed him as the preferred candidate of the country’s political leadership.

The 65-year-old football administrator is one of the most influential African football executives of the last decade.

Before joining CAF, he worked within FIFA’s development and member association departments, where he gained strong experience in football governance and international administration.

In 2021, he became Secretary General of Confederation of African Football (CAF) under CAF president Patrice Motsepe.

During his time at CAF, he played a major role in institutional reforms, competition management, and strengthening relations between African federations and FIFA.

However, his CAF tenure was also surrounded by criticism and internal tensions, with some African football officials accusing him of excessive political influence and controversial governance methods.

Despite the controversy, many supporters believe Mosengo-Omba’s international experience and FIFA connections could help stabilize FECOFA and improve football structures in DR Congo.

His election comes at a significant moment for Congolese football.

The national team, the Leopards, recently secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — their first appearance at the tournament in 52 years — reviving optimism among supporters and raising expectations for the future of football in the country.