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UNIFFAC
UNIFFAC
UNIFFAC
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The Central African Football Federations' Union, officially abbreviated as UNIFFAC[a], is a sports governing body representing the football associations of Central Africa. Former president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Iya Mohammed was elected UNIFFAC president twice in 2006 and 2008.[1]

Key Information

Members

[edit]
Country Governing body National team captain
 Cameroon Cameroonian Football Federation Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
 Central African Republic Central African Football Federation Geoffrey Kondogbia
 Chad Chadian Football Federation Ezechiel N'Douassel
 Congo Congolese Football Federation Amour Loussoukou
 DR Congo Congolese Association Football Federation Marcel Tisserand
 Equatorial Guinea Equatoguinean Football Federation Emilio Nsue
 Gabon Gabonese Football Federation Jim Allevinah
 São Tomé and Príncipe São Toméan Football Federation Luís Leal

Competitions

[edit]
See also: List of association football competitions and FIFA International Match Calendar

Current title holders

[edit]
See also: Portal:Current events/Sports, 2025 in association football, 2025 in sports, and FIFA International Match Calendar
For sporting events postponed or cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, see Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports.
Competition Year Champions Title Runners-up Next edition Dates
National teams (men's)
UNIFFAC U20 Cup 2025  DR Congo 1st  Congo TBD
UNIFFAC U17 Cup 2025  Cameroon 4rd  Central African Republic
UNIFFAC U-15 Schools Cup 2022 Democratic Republic of the Congo Institut Horizon of Bukavu 1st Republic of the Congo GS Louis Samuel TBD
National teams (women's)
UNIFFAC Women's Cup 2020  Equatorial Guinea 1st  DR Congo TBD
UNIFFAC Women's U-20 Cup 2024  Cameroon  Congo TBD
UNIFFAC Women's U-17 Cup
UNIFFAC Girls Schools Cup 2022 Republic of the Congo CEG Mfilou of Brazzaville 1st Democratic Republic of the Congo USC of Goma TBD
Club teams (women's)
CAF Women's Champions League Qualifiers 2025 Equatorial Guinea 15 de Agosto 2sd Cameroon FC Ebolowa 2026

Defunct competitions

[edit]
Competition Period
Central African Games Football tournament (1976–1987)
UDEAC Cup 1984–1990
UNIFAC Cup 1999
CEMAC Cup 2003–2014

A women's tournament and the re-introduction of the Clubs Cup was announced on 11 January 2011.[2]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

UNIFFAC

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The Central African Football Federations' Union (UNIFFAC), known in French as Union des Fédérations de Football d'Afrique Centrale, is the sub-regional governing body for in , operating as one of the zonal unions under the (CAF). It promotes the development, organization, and regulation of the sport across its member associations, facilitating regional cooperation and competition among Central African nations. UNIFFAC comprises eight member countries: , , , , , , , and São Tomé and Príncipe. These associations collaborate through UNIFFAC to enhance football , , and standards in the , addressing challenges such as limited resources and political instability in some member states. A primary function of UNIFFAC is to organize zonal qualifiers for major CAF tournaments, including the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations at various age levels (U-17, U-20, and senior), as well as the and . For instance, UNIFFAC hosts mini-tournaments and group stages to determine regional representatives, ensuring fair competition and talent identification for continental events. In addition to qualifiers, UNIFFAC runs its own regional competitions to foster grassroots and professional football, such as the UNIFFAC Women's Cup, which debuted in 2020 and supports the growth of women's football in the zone. It also oversees and club-level events, like the U-17 UNIFFAC Cup and club qualifiers leading to broader African championships, contributing to the overall elevation of Central African football on the international stage.

History

Formation

The Union of Central African Football Federations (UNIFFAC) was established as a sub-regional body to coordinate football activities among Central African nations. The primary purpose of UNIFFAC's formation was to promote the development of football infrastructure, youth training programs, and regional competitions across Central Africa. UNIFFAC gained formal recognition from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), enabling it to operate under CAF's oversight as one of the zonal unions. Early organizational efforts focused on standardizing competition rules and facilitating resource sharing in the region.

Key Developments

UNIFFAC expanded its membership to include the and , reaching a total of eight member associations. These additions strengthened the organization's regional representation in . Leadership within UNIFFAC saw significant transitions during the mid-2000s. Iya Mohammed was elected president around 2006 and re-elected in 2008, providing continuity during a period of organizational growth. By 2012, Mohammed continued to lead UNIFFAC, advocating for regional integration within CAF governance. Following Mohammed's tenure, interim leadership included Gustavo Ndong in 2021, before Jean Guy Blaise Mayolas was elected president in October 2023 for the 2023–2027 term. A notable shift occurred in 2025, when , president of the , was elected unopposed to the CAF Executive Committee as the UNIFFAC representative, influencing zonal priorities amid CAF's broader elections. Major initiatives emerged in the to broaden participation, including the announcement of women's and development programs in 2011. These efforts facilitated zonal qualifiers for CAF competitions, such as the 2021 UNIFFAC Women's Champions League qualifiers won by Malabo King FC of . programs supported qualification for events like the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, where DR Congo advanced by winning the UNIFFAC tournament. Regional instability in the , including ongoing conflicts in the from 2013, disrupted events, prompting UNIFFAC to adapt scheduling and prioritize safety protocols in collaboration with CAF. The profoundly impacted UNIFFAC operations, leading to the suspension of tournaments and qualifiers in 2020 and 2021. This included the cancellation of the 2021 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, which relied on zonal events like those organized by UNIFFAC. Post-pandemic recovery involved revamped calendars starting in 2022, enabling resumption of activities such as youth and women's competitions. Recent advancements from 2023 to 2025 focused on reforms, highlighted by financial audits and the adoption of procedural manuals during UNIFFAC's October 28, 2025, Executive Bureau meeting in . These measures, attended by representatives from member associations, aimed to enhance transparency and operational efficiency. CAF President attended separate zonal meetings in earlier in October 2025 to discuss regional challenges and support.

Governance

Leadership

The leadership of UNIFFAC is headed by President Guy Jean Blaise Mayolas, who was elected by acclamation at the organization's Elective in October 2023 and continues to serve as of November 2025. Mayolas, who was president of the Congolese Football Federation until his suspension by in August 2025 over allegations of embezzling $1.3 million in FIFA funds, has prioritized governance reforms and the expansion of regional competitions during his tenure. UNIFFAC's executive committee comprises representatives from its eight member nations—Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and São Tomé and Príncipe—with terms synchronized to the (CAF) cycles, including the current 2023-2027 mandate. This structure ensures balanced regional input in decision-making, under the broader oversight of CAF. Key figures include committee members focused on development initiatives, though specific roles beyond the president are delegated through national federation nominations. Among past leaders, Iya Mohammed, former president of the , served as UNIFFAC president from 2006, with re-elections in 2008, emphasizing efforts to foster among Central African football bodies during the organization's early consolidation phase in the 2000s. Earlier presidents from the founding era in the late 1970s to the 1990s laid foundational work on unifying federations, though detailed records of their tenures highlight a primary focus on establishing cooperative frameworks across member states. Leadership selection occurs through periodic general assemblies of member federations, typically aligned with CAF electoral timelines, as seen in the 2023 assembly that installed Mayolas without opposition. In March 2025, , president of the , was elected unopposed to represent UNIFFAC on the CAF Executive Committee, underscoring the zone's influence in continental governance.

Organizational Framework

UNIFFAC maintains its administrative in , , following the signing of a formal headquarters agreement between the Gabonese government and the organization on December 27, 2021, to facilitate centralized coordination of sub-regional activities. This location supports operational efficiency across , with ongoing construction oversight involving the Gabonese Order of Architects as affirmed during the Executive Bureau meeting in , , on October 28, 2025. The organization's statutes align with those of the (CAF), incorporating revisions from CAF's 2023 statutes to emphasize good governance, integrity, ethics, transparency, and accountability in operations, including and member relations. Official working languages include French and English, reflecting the linguistic diversity of member nations, with provisions for and Spanish in communications involving and São Tomé and Príncipe, respectively, to ensure inclusivity. UNIFFAC operates through standing committees focused on key areas such as finance, competitions, and development, mirroring CAF's structure to oversee budgeting, event organization, and capacity-building initiatives. During its October 2025 Executive Bureau meeting, the organization adopted audit reports, approved a procedural manual, and endorsed the 2025 activity plan and budget, while urging member federations to settle dues for the 2023–2025 cycle by January 2026 to bolster operational continuity. Funding for UNIFFAC primarily derives from CAF subventions, which increased from $450,000 to $750,000 annually under CAF President Motsepe's administration, alongside member association dues and sponsorship revenues, enabling enhanced development programs. The 2025 reforms, including the adoption of financial reports and procedural guidelines, underscore a commitment to transparency, with zonal unions like UNIFFAC required to comply with CAF's standards for grant utilization. As a sub-regional zonal union under CAF's geographical division of into six zones, UNIFFAC contributes to continental football by organizing qualifiers for tournaments such as the (AFCON) and age-group competitions, securing regional quotas like the two slots for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON Morocco 2025 from its zone. This affiliation ensures alignment with CAF's broader objectives, including development funding distribution and competition pathways.

Member Associations

Current Members

UNIFFAC encompasses eight active member football associations from , primarily francophone nations with exceptions including the Lusophone and the Hispanic . Membership requires annual dues payments and adherence to (CAF) statutes, with all eight associations confirmed as active during the 2025 UNIFFAC congress. The current members are listed below, including brief profiles highlighting their founding years, current FIFA men's rankings as of October 2025, and notable achievements.
CountryAssociation (Acronym)Founding YearFIFA Ranking (Oct 2025)Key Achievements
CameroonFédération Camerounaise de Football (FECAFOOT)195957thFive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) titles (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2010); Olympic gold medal in 2000.
Central African RepublicFédération Centrafricaine de Football (FCF)1961138thReached AFCON quarterfinals in 2015; FIFA member since 1964.
ChadFédération Tchadienne de Football (FTF)1962177thParticipated in AFCON 2011 as debutants; ongoing development in youth programs.
Republic of the CongoFédération Congolaise de Football (FECOFA)1962134thAFCON winners in 1972 and 2015; hosted 1972 tournament.
Democratic Republic of the CongoFédération Congolaise de Football-Association (FECOFA)191956thTwo AFCON titles (1968, 1974); third-place finish in 2015.
Equatorial GuineaFederación de Fútbol de Guinea Ecuatorial (FFGE)197595thCo-hosted AFCON 2015 and reached semifinals; surprise quarterfinalists in 2015.
GabonFédération Gabonaise de Football (FEGAFOOT)196277thHosted AFCON 2017; reached quarterfinals in 1996, 2010, and 2015.
São Tomé and PríncipeFederação Santomense de Futebol (FSF)1979189thQualified for first major tournament at 2021 TotalEnergies AFCON; active in regional qualifiers.

Membership Changes

UNIFFAC's membership has undergone several changes since its formation, primarily involving additions to expand regional representation, temporary withdrawals due to administrative challenges, and suspensions linked to governance issues within member federations. The (DR Congo) joined UNIFFAC in the 1990s following post-independence realignments in African football structures, enhancing the union's competitive depth in . Similarly, was admitted in the late 1990s to broaden geographic and representational coverage, becoming an active participant in zonal qualifiers despite occasional logistical hurdles. Withdrawals have been rare but notable, often tied to internal disputes. In , Congo-Brazzaville and temporarily stepped back from certain UNIFFAC activities amid administrative disagreements over hosting and funding, though both federations were reinstated by 2020 after resolving issues through CAF mediation. More recently, Congo-Brazzaville faced a full suspension in February 2025 due to third-party interference, which was lifted in May 2025 after resolution. Suspensions have also impacted participation, particularly in the and early 2020s. Chad's football was suspended by in April 2021 over government interference, leading to its exclusion from UNIFFAC tournaments like the U-17 AFCON qualifiers; the ban was lifted in October 2021 after compliance. The encountered similar FIFA-related governance suspensions in the , culminating in a suspension in June 2025 that disrupted regional events such as U-20 qualifiers; however, the officials were reinstated by court decision in August 2025. These issues highlighted the ripple effects on UNIFFAC competitions, often requiring alternative qualifiers or postponed slots. Admission to UNIFFAC requires affiliation with the (CAF), geographic location in , and adherence to governance standards, ensuring alignment with international norms. The criteria were last reviewed during UNIFFAC's 2025 zonal meetings in , hosted alongside the CAF Ordinary , with no major alterations approved. Looking ahead, discussions at the 2025 meetings touched on potential expansions, including overtures toward or neighboring nations for greater inclusivity, but no formal changes were enacted as of November 2025.

Competitions

National Team Tournaments

UNIFFAC organizes national team tournaments for senior men's, women's, and youth categories, primarily functioning as zonal qualifiers for (CAF) competitions such as the (AFCON), , and age-specific AFCONs, with an emphasis on talent development and since the organization's founding in 1978. These events promote football growth in by providing competitive platforms for member associations, including , (CAR), , , (DRC), , , and São Tomé and Príncipe. The tournaments typically follow a round-robin format involving 4 to 8 teams, depending on participation, and are hosted rotationally by member nations to ensure equitable involvement and infrastructure utilization. For instance, the 2023 UNIFFAC U-20 tournament was held in the DRC, featuring four teams—DRC, , , and —in a round-robin setup where the top performers advanced to the CAF U-20 . Similarly, the 2025 UNIFFAC U-17 qualifiers in adopted a round-robin structure with teams including , DRC, , and , culminating in the top two qualifying for the CAF U-17 in . This format fosters intense competition while minimizing logistical challenges in the region. Key purposes of these tournaments include talent identification for higher-level CAF and events, fostering regional unity among Central African nations, and preparing teams for major tournaments like AFCON and the . UNIFFAC events have been integrated into the broader African football calendar, ensuring qualifiers align with AFCON qualification windows and promoting synchronized development. Over time, UNIFFAC's national team competitions have evolved from a primary focus on senior men's events in the 1980s to inclusive formats incorporating women's and youth categories by the 2000s. The inaugural UNIFFAC Women's Cup in 2020 marked a significant expansion, won by host , while youth tournaments like the U-20 and U-17 cups gained prominence for grassroots development. Looking ahead, 2025 features dedicated youth qualifiers, such as the U-17 event in , building on this progression to support comprehensive player pathways. Participation in UNIFFAC tournaments is mandatory for all member associations as part of their zonal obligations under CAF statutes, ensuring broad representation and competitive balance. Provisions accommodate conflict-affected nations, such as , which continues to field teams despite ongoing instability, as seen in their involvement in the 2023 U-20 and 2025 U-17 qualifiers.

Club Tournaments

UNIFFAC's club tournaments aim to elevate the standard of professional football in by facilitating among domestic league champions and cup winners from member associations, ultimately serving as qualifiers for continental events organized by the (CAF). The primary historical format was the UNIFFAC Clubs Cup, launched in 2004 as a involving clubs from countries including , , the , and others. This initiative addressed the need for regional club exposure, building on earlier sub-regional efforts while emphasizing pathways to broader African competitions like the . The inaugural edition in 2004 culminated in a two-legged final where Cameroon's Bamboutos FC defeated Gabon's FC 105 on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw, marking the first regional club title for a Cameroonian side. Subsequent editions continued this structure, with the 2006 final seeing DR Congo's SC Cilu triumph over Cameroon's Fovu Baham by a 3-1 aggregate score. These events, limited to around 8 teams per tournament, highlighted emerging talents and intensified local professionalism but faced interruptions due to logistical and financial constraints typical of sub-Saharan regional football. In the modern era, UNIFFAC has shifted focus toward integration with CAF structures, particularly for women's clubs, with the zonal qualifiers for the serving as the active club competition since the early . This annual mini-league format features four teams—the champions or cup winners from key member nations—competing in a round-robin setup where the top finisher advances to the continental tournament. For instance, the 2024 qualifiers in , DR Congo, saw of the DR Congo secure qualification after topping the group with victories over Lékié FF (), Atlético Feminino Malabo (), and CSM Diables Noirs (Congo). Past representatives include Huracanes FC () in 2023 and in 2022, underscoring the competition's role in promoting gender equity and providing Central African women's teams access to high-level play. The 2025 edition of the women's zonal qualifiers, hosted in , , further emphasized this integration, with FC Ebolowa () and 15 de Agosto () emerging as strong contenders in the opening rounds, aligning with UNIFFAC's broader push for sustainable club development amid ongoing funding challenges that have historically limited men's editions. These tournaments not only enhance competitive skills and regional unity but also address the irregularity seen in prior formats, where financial hurdles led to sporadic play after 2006.

References

  1. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesu/uniffac.html
  2. https://www.cafonline.com/inside-caf/member-associations/
  3. https://kick442.com/uniffac-steps-up-governance-eyes-bigger-stage-for-central-african-football/
  4. https://www.cafonline.com/caf-u-17-africa-cup-of-nations/news/totalenergies-caf-u-17-afcon-uniffac-zone-teams-enter-the-final-stretch/
  5. https://www.cafonline.com/caf-u-20-africa-cup-of-nations/news/cameroon-cruise-to-uniffac-u20-semi-finals-dr-congo-join-them/
  6. https://www.cafonline.com/caf-womens-champions-league/news/uniffac-zonal-women-s-champions-league-qualifiers-fc-ebolowa-and-15-de-agosto-make-statement-starts/
  7. https://www.cafonline.com/caf-womens-champions-league/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-uniffac-womens-champions-league-qualifiers/
  8. https://www.cafonline.com/caf-womens-champions-league/news/tp-mazembe-to-represent-uniffac-in-the-caf-womens-champions-league-2024/
  9. https://www.cafonline.com/caf-u-17-africa-cup-of-nations/news/uniffac-u-17-qualifiers-cameroon-start-strong-dr-congo-triumph-over-gabon/
  10. https://jason.soffe.free.fr/african-zone/uniffac.php
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  17. https://www.cafonline.com/caf-womens-champions-league/news/qualifiers-recap-for-the-totalenergies-caf-women-s-champions-league-2021/
  18. https://www.cafonline.com/caf-u-20-africa-cup-of-nations/news/match-facts-four-time-winners-ghana-face-dr-congo-in-totalenergies-caf-u20-afcon-opener/
  19. https://www.cafonline.com/media/iuipv5oy/caf-u17-media-guide_compressed.pdf
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  21. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/09/head-of-football-in-republic-of-the-congo-accused-of-embezzling-13m-of-fifa-funds
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  27. https://inside.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men
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  29. https://inside.fifa.com/news/fifa-lifts-suspension-of-congolese-football-association
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  34. https://www.cafonline.com/inside-caf/news/caf-president-dr-motsepe-holds-successful-meetings-with-zonal-unions-and-caf-member-associations-presidents-in-cairo-ahead-of-extraordinary-general-assembly/
  35. http://jason.soffe.free.fr/african-zone/uniffac.php
  36. https://kick442.com/2023-uniffac-u20-four-nations-to-battle-for-maiden-fatshi-cup/
  37. https://www.cafonline.com/womens-football/news/equatorial-guinea-wins-first-ever-uniffac-women-s-championship/
  38. https://allafrica.com/stories/200411011120.html
  39. https://www.bettingscore.com/team/sporting-club-cilu-6223
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