By: Julius Konton
As Liberia approaches a crucial leadership transition in its football governance, a broad coalition of stakeholders is making a compelling case for continuity at the helm of the Liberia Football Association (LFA).
With elections scheduled for April, football administrators, referees, coaches, players, medics, educators, and grassroots organizers argue that the re-election of Mustapha I. Raji is essential to sustaining the most comprehensive football transformation Liberia has witnessed in decades.
Their argument is not emotional or political, it is empirical.
A Historical Context: From Centralization to Structural Reform
Before Raji’s administration, Liberia’s football ecosystem faced longstanding challenges: limited infrastructure, centralized decision-making, inadequate capacity development, weak women’s football structures, and minimal international visibility.
Development initiatives were often fragmented, donor-dependent, and unsustainable.
Since assuming leadership, Raji has overseen a systematic shift toward institutional reform, decentralization, and compliance with international football governance standards set by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Infrastructure Expansion: Football Beyond Monrovia
One of the most visible legacies of Raji’s tenure is infrastructure development:
Construction of mini-stadiums and artificial turf pitches across multiple counties
Reduction in Monrovia-centric football activities through regional facility investment
Improved access to safe, modern playing surfaces for youth and women’s teams
Stakeholders note that Liberia, previously dependent on a handful of aging venues, now boasts multiple functional football facilities nationwide, an unprecedented shift in football geography.
Women’s Football: From Marginalization to Momentum
Under Raji’s leadership, women’s football has experienced measurable growth:
Significant increase in registered women’s teams nationwide
Expansion of women’s leagues and grassroots competitions
Enhanced participation of Liberian women’s national and youth teams in regional and continental tournaments
According to LFA data shared at development forums, women’s football participation has grown by double-digit percentages since the start of the current administration placing Liberia among emerging reformers in West African women’s football.
Grassroots and Youth Development: Building the Pipeline
Football development experts emphasize that sustainable success begins at the base.
Raji’s tenure has prioritized:
Grassroots football academies and county-level competitions
Rebranding and revitalization of school football
Increased participation of youth national teams both male and female in regional, continental, and international competitions
This approach has contributed to a notable rise in young Liberian players transferring to international clubs, enhancing both player livelihoods and the country’s football profile.
Capacity Development: Referees, Coaches, Medics, and Administrators
Perhaps the most transformative aspect of Raji’s leadership lies in human capital development:
Training and certification of coaches and referees across all counties
Increased number of Liberian referees, male and female officiating CAF and FIFA-sanctioned matches
Growth in Liberia’s CAF-accredited instructors
International training programs for football medics, safeguarding officers, and administrators
Referee indemnities have also been increased, improving professionalism and retention within the officiating community.
Institutional Governance and Transparency
Stakeholders credit Raji with introducing:
Clear administrative structures and procedures at LFA headquarters
Improved financial accountability and transparency mechanisms
Regular participation of LFA officials in international conferences and governance forums
The construction of Liberia’s first-ever Football House Headquarters is frequently cited as a symbolic and practical milestone marking Liberia’s transition from improvised administration to institutional permanence.
International Credibility and Confidence
Through consistent engagement with CAF, FIFA, and regional bodies, Liberia’s football governance has regained international confidence.
This has translated into:
Successful hosting of regional competitions
Increased appointment of Liberians as match officials and commissioners abroad
Enhanced morale and credibility for Liberia within global football circles
Observers argue that leadership instability at this stage could jeopardize years of institutional rebuilding.
The Stakeholders’ Verdict
Across the football ecosystem, stakeholders converge on a central conclusion:
Development is ongoing, not complete.
With additional programs already in planning from advanced youth academies to expanded safeguarding systems, they believe leadership continuity is not optional, but strategic.
“The decision must be based on impact, transparency, credibility, accountability, and results,” stakeholders emphasized.
“By every measurable indicator, continuity under Raji offers the safest and most productive path forward.”
Continuity as a Strategic Choice
As Liberia stands at a crossroads, the question facing football stakeholders is not merely who leads next but whether the nation consolidates its gains or risks regression.
For many within the game, the answer is clear: sustaining reform requires steady hands, proven systems, and uninterrupted vision.
In that equation, they argue, Mustapha I. Raji remains the most compelling choice for continuation and forward movement in Liberian football.
