The Guinea-Bissau Football Federation (FFGB) is facing another major off-field crisis after authorities ordered the detention of its president, Carlos Alberto Mendes Teixeira, amid an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct.
Mendes Teixeira, popularly known as Caíto Teixeira, is the president of the FFGB and heads the football federation of one of Nigeria’s opponents in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The latest development stems from an order issued by Guinea-Bissau’s anti-corruption prosecutor’s office on July 31, directing the Judicial Police to detain the federation president over an alleged violation of judicial measures imposed on him during an investigation.
According to Guinea-Bissau’s national news agency, ANG, prosecutors accuse Mendes Teixeira of travelling to the United States on July 16 without authorisation to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, despite being subject to restrictions on leaving the country.
The detention order followed an investigation into the alleged diversion of about 183.3 million CFA francs linked to the chartering of an aircraft to transport the São Tomé and Príncipe national team for a 2023 international fixture in Bissau.
Mendes Teixeira and FFGB vice-president Celestino Gonçalves, known as Tinex, were formally made suspects in the investigation in May. Prosecutors said the case involved alleged abuse of trust, damaging administration and document falsification.
Supreme Court had already intervened
The latest development is particularly complicated because Guinea-Bissau’s Supreme Court had previously ruled against the measures imposed on the two football officials.
In July, the country’s Supreme Court of Justice unanimously declared the measures imposed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office unconstitutional and ordered their immediate cessation.
The court ruled that the anti-corruption office did not have the legal authority to impose restrictive measures affecting fundamental rights without the intervention of an investigating judge.
Those measures had included restrictions on Mendes Teixeira’s movement and an 82.8 million CFA franc financial bond.
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However, prosecutors subsequently maintained that the restrictions had not been formally lifted in a manner that allowed Mendes Teixeira to leave the country without authorisation.
That disagreement became central to the latest detention order.
Guinea-Bissau’s Public Prosecutor’s Office alleges that Mendes Teixeira travelled to the United States without permission, prompting the order for his detention. Local reports said his trip was made using a Portuguese passport.
Another crisis for Nigeria’s AFCON opponent
The development adds to growing turbulence surrounding football administration in Guinea-Bissau ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The FFGB has faced increasing scrutiny over its leadership and financial management, with former football officials, players and other stakeholders previously calling for Mendes Teixeira to leave his position.
In June, a collective of former football officials, players and football supporters publicly demanded his removal, arguing that the ongoing judicial proceedings had created a serious leadership crisis within the federation.
The federation itself continues to recognise Mendes Teixeira as its president. Its official website lists him as the current head of the organisation responsible for managing Guinea-Bissau’s national teams and domestic competitions.
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Guinea-Bissau are drawn in Group L of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers alongside Nigeria and Madagascar, meaning the administrative crisis comes as the Djurtus prepare for a campaign that includes meetings with the Super Eagles.
There is currently no indication that the legal proceedings involving Mendes Teixeira have affected Guinea-Bissau’s participation in the AFCON qualifying competition or altered the country’s fixtures.
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The Djurtus remain Nigeria’s group opponents, but the latest development further highlights the instability surrounding the country’s football administration.
Mendes Teixeira remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until a competent court establishes criminal responsibility.
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