The Confederation of African Football (Caf) is embroiled in controversy as allegations emerge regarding the conduct of its general secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba. Reports indicate that he overlooked a recommendation declaring Pierre-Alain Mounguengui ineligible for election to Caf’s executive committee due to accusations of his involvement in a cover-up of sexual abuse within Gabonese football.
Mounguengui, currently the president of the Gabonese Football Federation (Fegafoot), has faced serious allegations since 2021, when reports surfaced detailing his failure to act on claims of sexual abuse and rape affecting young players. Although he has denied these accusations and has not been charged with sexual abuse himself, he was detained for six months while authorities in Gabon deliberated on his case. The situation remains unresolved nearly four years later, with a final ruling still pending.
As part of Caf’s election procedures for its executive committee, which includes Patrice Motsepe and Mosengo-Omba, all candidates must undergo an eligibility review by the governance committee. Sources reveal that the majority of committee members believed Mounguengui should not be eligible for the 2023 election, a recommendation that Mosengo-Omba reportedly dismissed.
Allegations have surfaced claiming that Mosengo-Omba bypassed an independent legal opinion regarding Mounguengui’s eligibility, opting instead to consult Mounguengui’s personal lawyer. This action has raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest. One source described the situation as chaotic, stating, “The former chairman of the governance committee was not happy, saying: ‘I requested the opinion of an independent lawyer. This is not correct and we cannot work in these conditions.’”
Internal dynamics within Caf suggest that Mosengo-Omba may have sought Mounguengui’s support to strengthen his position in central Africa, particularly amid disputes with football federation presidents from the Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. A senior source noted, “Mounguengui always supports Veron on the executive committee.”
Caf has not issued a comment regarding the allegations against Mosengo-Omba, who is also accused of managing the organization with an authoritarian style, fostering a culture where employees fear retaliation for voicing concerns. Those accusations were reported by the Guardian in October 2023.
Despite the ongoing scrutiny, Mounguengui was appointed as a vice-president of Caf in April 2023, while the legal situation in Gabon remains unresolved. This follows the arrest of another Fegafoot coach, Paul Lambert Nguema Ebang Toung, also known as “Lumière,” who faces charges of paedophilia, public indecency, and obstruction of justice.
Additionally, FIFA had previously investigated Mounguengui concerning allegations against former Gabon youth-team coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi, who was banned for life in March 2023 after admitting to charges of sexual misconduct involving young players. FIFA’s investigation into whether Mounguengui failed to report abuse by Eyi and several other coaches is ongoing.
As the situation unfolds, Mounguengui, who has been present in Morocco for the recent Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament, could face a prison sentence of up to three years if found guilty of any wrongdoing. The implications of these allegations extend beyond individual accountability, raising broader questions about governance and oversight in African football.
