The race for the presidency of the Fédération Congolaise de Football Association has narrowed significantly after Bosco Mwehu Kofela withdrew his candidacy less than two weeks before the scheduled vote.
Kofela confirmed his decision in a letter addressed to the electoral commission on Wednesday, citing personal reasons for stepping aside. His withdrawal comes as a surprise, given that his application had been widely regarded as one of the strongest among those under consideration.
The development follows the earlier exit of Shabani Nonda, making Kofela the second candidate to leave the race in recent days. Together, the withdrawals have significantly reshaped the electoral landscape ahead of the vote on 20 May.
With Kofela no longer in contention, the field has been reduced to two confirmed candidates: Véron Mosengo Omba and Jean-Didier Massamba. Both are now expected to intensify their campaigns as the election date approaches.
Despite the changes, the timetable for the election remains unchanged. Voting is still scheduled to take place on 20 May, with the process continuing under close observation due to its importance for the future direction of football administration in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The current electoral process is being conducted within a framework established by FIFA, which has been overseeing the federation’s affairs in recent years. In April 2023, FIFA installed a normalisation committee to manage the operations of FECOFA and guide it towards new leadership.
Initially intended to serve for seven months, the committee’s mandate has been extended multiple times, reflecting the complexity of the situation. Its responsibilities have included maintaining the day-to-day running of the federation and ensuring that the electoral process is conducted in line with governance standards.
A central objective of the process is the establishment of a new executive committee capable of leading the organisation on a permanent basis. The upcoming vote is therefore seen as a crucial step towards restoring stability and long-term direction to Congolese football.
Kofela’s withdrawal adds a new dimension to the race, potentially altering the dynamics between the remaining candidates. With fewer contenders, attention is now likely to focus more closely on the policies, experience and support bases of Mosengo Omba and Massamba.
The election is also taking place against a backdrop of appeals from candidates whose applications were previously deemed inadmissible, meaning that the final list of contenders could still be subject to change.
As the countdown to 20 May continues, stakeholders across Congolese football will be watching closely. The outcome is expected to play a key role in shaping the governance, development and international standing of the sport in the country in the years ahead.
