Mosengo-Omba Elected FECOFA President Following General Assembly Vote in Kinshasa
Former Confederation of African Football (CAF) Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba has been elected president of the Fédération Congolaise de Football Association (FECOFA) following the federation’s General Assembly held on Wednesday in Kinshasa.
Mosengo-Omba will oversee Congolese football for the next four years, taking charge at a pivotal moment for the sport in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after years of administrative instability and FIFA oversight.
The 65-year-old succeeds a turbulent period that followed the departure of former FECOFA president Constant Omari, who led the federation from 2003 to 2021.
Although Mosengo-Omba’s victory had been widely anticipated, the electoral process was not without controversy. According to local reports, he secured 60 of the 65 votes cast during the General Assembly.
The election drew scrutiny after several prospective candidates were either disqualified or withdrew before voting commenced. Former DR Congo captain Shabani Nonda was among those ruled out of the race, while Jean-Didier Masamba and Bosco Mwehu later withdrew their candidacies, leaving Mosengo-Omba as the sole contender.
As a result, many observers viewed the election as a formality rather than a closely contested race. Critics also raised concerns regarding alleged political influence, favoritism, and procedural issues surrounding the process.
Mosengo-Omba is regarded as one of the most prominent football administrators on the continent. Prior to joining CAF, he held several roles within FIFA’s development and member associations divisions, building extensive experience in football governance and international administration.
In 2021, he was appointed CAF Secretary General under the leadership of CAF president Patrice Motsepe. During his tenure, Mosengo-Omba played a significant role in implementing institutional reforms, overseeing competitions, and strengthening cooperation between African football federations and FIFA.
However, his time at CAF was also marked by criticism from some football stakeholders, who questioned aspects of the organization’s governance and decision-making processes.
Despite the debate surrounding his election, supporters believe his international experience and strong relationships within global football could provide much-needed stability for FECOFA and help accelerate the development of football infrastructure in the country.
Mosengo-Omba assumes office at a particularly encouraging time for Congolese football. The national team, the Leopards, recently secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a 52-year absence from the tournament and reigniting optimism among supporters.
With expectations rising both on and off the pitch, Mosengo-Omba’s administration will be tasked with translating that momentum into long-term progress for football in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
