MONROVIA – In 2018, a youthful and dynamically profound football administrator took the reigns of football management and administration in the Republic of Liberia. This energetic football administrator having been highly successful from community and grassroots football as well as on the subcommittee levels with successes with the erstwhile FC Barcelona of Gardnersville, which later transitioned and became LISCR FC, having secured an agreement with LISCR, Liberia Ship Registry company some years ago, Mustapha I. Raji has never looked back in ensuring that his dream to take Liberian football to higher heights has never faded, after years of decline following the 14-year civil war that destroyed every fabric of the Liberian society.
Many at times whenever the Liberia Football Association (LFA) President, Mustapha I. Raji, speak to Liberians and international partners, he has always acknowledged the fact that taking Liberia football to new heights that have not been seen before in the history of the LFA’s 89 years of existence is a herculean task that required the collective efforts and strives of all well-meaning football followers, lovers, managers, administrators, financiers, the general public and the government of Liberia.
The growth, development and overall wellbeing of Liberian football are of strategic importance to the Liberia Football Association (LFA) and to Mr. Mustapha I. Raji, personally. After long years of not so good achievements as well as under achievements in some areas when it comes to football development in Liberia, Raji was privileged to have been given the opportunity to head the Liberian Football House as one of its presidents since its establishment in 1936.
Through concerted efforts and support of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), the Confederations of African Football (CAF), the West African Football Union (WAFU), the LFA’s major sponsors of the League, including ORANGE Liberia, DOXXBET, etc. as well as the Government of the Republic of Liberia, Raji and his hardworking team at the Football House have facilitated gradual but steady improvements in the development of Liberian football from grassroots, youth, women and men’s levels.
When Mustapha I. Raji and his team took over the LFA, the Football House was under FIFA financial ban due to previous financial indiscretions that were reportedly committed by the previous administration. With hard work, dedication, commitment and the ‘never-give-up’ attitude and spirit of Raji, the LFA was able to restructure the financial setup, thus FIFA restored the LFA financial rights and started to provide funds for the development of football in Liberia.
And for almost eight years Raji and his team led the LFA, there were several developmental initiatives undertaken, including upgrading stadia across the country, provision of artificial turfs and other facilities to enhance football development, increment in prize money for champions team in the various categories, awarding of individual cash prize for performance – to include MVPs, Best Defenders, Best Referee, Best Coach, Best Strikers, etc. Vehicles and cash monies have been presented over the years. Referees, coaches and football administrators have benefitted from both local and international trainings, and the list goes on. The construction of the over US$1 million LFA headquarters crowns it all to pin point some of the major developments the Raji administration has brought to Liberian football through the LFA.
The Beginning of the LFA
Founded in 1936, the Liberia Football Association (LFA) is the governing entity of football in Liberia. By 1962, the LFA joined the world governing body of football, FIFA. In the same year, the LFA also affiliated with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Like CAF and FIFA, the local football house is a justifiable member of the West African Football Union or WAFU.
Though the LFA gained its official birth by 1936, football had received some form of recognition far before this year. According to John Howard, who is regarded the father of the LFA, football was being played in Liberia years before the establishment of the LFA, mainly amongst the settlers.
Since its birth, the LFA has had several heads, some known as president and others as chairman; Anthony Barclay could become the first president of the Association in 1936.
The Association is currently headed by Mustapha Raji as president, with Sekou Konneh and Adolphus Dolo as Vice President of Administration and Vice President of Operations, respectively. Raji succeeded Musa Bility in 2018 before running unopposed in April 2022 thereby giving him another four-year term to run the affairs of the LFA.
The LFA runs an annual national league comprising all clubs of Liberia. There are five categories in which the clubs are divided: First Division (14 clubs), Second Division (16 clubs), and Women’s First Division (12 clubs). The rest of the clubs are in the Sub-Associations and Sub-Committees, making up the Third and Fourth Division categories (the basement of Liberian football).
There are 14 Sub-Associations (all counties of Liberia excluding Montserrado) and eight Sub-Committees. In each Sub-Association, there are 14 clubs in the 3rd division and eight in the 4th division while in each Sub-Committee, there are 22 third division clubs and 14 fourth division clubs throughout the country. There are a total of 36 clubs in each Sub Committee and a total of 22 in each Sub Association.
Administratively, the LFA is headed by a president who is elected along with 12 other officials for a period of four years. The elected body is known as the Executive Committee, which is the highest decision-making body in the absence of the Congress.
However, the Association is run by a Secretariat, comprising a Secretary General and several deputies who carry the title of Director. They are appointed by the president with the endorsement of the Executive Committee members. The LFA uses an approved statute in conformity with the laws of its world governing body’s legal instrument.
The LFA runs a transparent administration, with its activities open to its members (clubs and other affiliates). Information dissemination is a key.
𝐋𝐅𝐀 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬’ 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥
•The LFA First Division prize money increased by 50%
•The Women’s Upper Division prize money increased by 25%
•Subventions to Upper Women’s Division clubs increased by US$1,500
•FA Cup prize money for both men’s and women’s categories increased and synchronized
In keeping with its commitment to developing football at all levels and boosting competition, the Liberia Football Association (LFA) under the watch of Mr. Mustapha I. Raji and assisted by the Executive Committee, has announced a significant increase in prize money for the LFA First Division and Women’s Upper Division leagues as well as an increase in subventions to women’s clubs.
Beginning with the 2025/26 league season, prize money for the LFA First Division will increase by 50%, with the champions set to receive 𝐔𝐒$𝟑𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎. The Women’s Upper Division will see a 25% increase, raising the champions’ prize money to 𝐔𝐒$𝟐𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎.
These decisions were unanimously approved during the recent LFA Executive Committee meeting, chaired by President Mustapha I. Raji on Friday, 8 August, at the LFA headquarters.
This investment forms part of the LFA’s broader football development strategy aimed at raising the competitiveness and prestige of its leagues. Additionally, to further support women’s football, the LFA has increased subventions to Upper Women’s Division clubs by 𝐔𝐒$𝟏,𝟓𝟎𝟎—bringing the total to 𝐔𝐒$𝟕,𝟓𝟎𝟎 per club per season. This additional funding is made possible through the CAF Impact Fund.
Additionally, the LFA Executive has also increased and synchronized the LFA Cup prize money for both the men’s and women’s categories. Beginning in the 2025/26 season, winners of both FA Cups will receive 𝐔𝐒$𝟏𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 each.
Previously, winners of the women’s category received L$1 million, while winners of the men’s category took home L$1.5 million.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐅𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
* 2025/26 CHAMPIONS—US$ 30,000
* 2021/22 CHAMPIONS—US$ 20,000
* 2020/21 CHAMPIONS—L$1.6 million (US$8,420)
* 2018/19 CHAMPIONS – L$1.5 million (US$7,895)
𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐔𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
* 2025/26 CHAMPIONS—US$ 25,000
* 2021/22 CHAMPIONS—US$ 20,000
* 2020/21 CHAMPIONS—L$600.00 (US$3,070)
* 2018/19 CHAMPIONS – L$550,000 (US$2,890)
𝐋𝐅𝐀 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐔𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛𝐬
𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭
2019 $3,937 per club
2020 $4,200 per club
2021 $5,000 per club
2022 $6,000 per club
2025 $7,500 per club
𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
• The number of teams in the Men’s First Division will be increased from 14 to 16, beginning with the 2026/27 league season
• The total number of teams participating in the Beach Soccer League during the 2025/26 league season will be limited to 10
A committee was appointed to design a structured framework for the LFA League Board.
Members:
Sylvanus Morris—Chairman (Global Pharma)
Casandra Hampton—Co-Chair (Mighty Barrolle)
Chris Weah—Member (Stages Queens)
Kla M.B. Wilson—Member
Edwin Baysah—Member
Pawala Janyan—Exco Official
Football Stakeholders Seek Raji’s Continued Development Efforts at the LFA
The statutes of the Liberia Football Association like that of world football governing body, FIFA, does not restrict the number of terms an individual can contest the presidency of a football association or federation.
The LFA is due to go to elections in 2026 and many stakeholders- meanly the clubs and other affiliate members – have expressed their desires for Raji to seek another term in the governance and administration of Liberian football. The clubs, sub-associations, sub-committees, inter-school sports association, academical, among others are the stakeholders who decide who becomes president and executive committee members of the LFA.
According to the football stakeholders, Raji and his team at the LFA with the support of FIFA, CAF and the government of Liberia have brought enormous development to enhance the growth of Liberian football, despite the tough challenges associated with this endeavor, Raji and team remain resolute to achieve their dream, this is why these football stakeholders are seeking a Mustapha I. Raji’s third term at the LFA comes 2026. They say Raji’s competitive nature has spread to the LFA with prize money increment for clubs and others, this is something that has shown a sign of Raji and Team’s continuous vision for football development in Liberia. Liberians and international football partners, stakeholders and financiers will watch keenly what unfolds leading to the LFA elections come 2026. In football they say, continuity is very important for the development and growth and the game, and with this mantra, will Mustapha I. Raji and Team be afforded the opportunity to complete the task they embarked on at the LFA few years ago to lift Liberian football to higher heights in the history of the game in Liberia. The task may be daunting but Raji and Team say, they are ready for such an escapade ‘FOR THE GOOD OF THE GAME’ in Liberia.
