The Liberia Football Association (LFA) held its first executive committee meeting of 2025 on March 7, which seemed to focus more on international recognition and networking than addressing the root issues facing football development within Liberia itself.
While LFA President Mustapha Raji presented updates on several positive international partnerships, including a friendly arrangement between Liberia’s U-17 Boys National Team and Egypt, as well as upcoming games for Liberia’s U-20 team in Ivory Coast, the question remains: What tangible benefits will these initiatives offer to local football development?
Raji’s international connections appear to be strengthening with agreements such as Liberia’s selection for FIFA’s Football Arena Project, which will see the construction of two mini-pitches in communities. While this is a step forward in improving infrastructure, one can argue that Liberia’s football needs more than just mini-pitches and international friendlies to elevate the sport to the levels seen in neighboring West African countries.
Local football faces various problems, from poor facilities to a lack of competitive grassroots leagues, which often limit the growth of homegrown talent. The recent approval of equipment for third and fourth-division teams is a welcome development, but it seems reactive rather than part of a long-term strategy. Many grassroots teams still struggle with basic resources, and a single boost in equipment cannot solve deeper issues related to team management, player development, and coaching standards.
Meanwhile, President Raji continues to push for greater international visibility, including a bid for re-election to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee, where he is set to run unopposed. While this is a commendable move, one must ask: Is the LFA focusing too much on international recognition at the expense of local reform?
Despite Raji’s reiteration of his commitment to governance and football development, Liberia’s football scene remains far from competitive on the continental stage. There are concerns that the LFA’s leadership is more concerned with representing Liberia internationally than addressing the challenges faced by domestic leagues and grassroots development.
