Mustapha Raji
Mustapha Raji | |
|---|---|
 Raji addressing the press | |
| President of the Liberia Football Association | |
| Assumed office 19 April 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Musa Bility |
| Executive Committee Member, Confederation of African Football | |
| Assumed office March 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Mamadou Antonio Souaré |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mustapha Ishola Raji 22 June 1974 Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia |
| Residence | Liberia |
| Occupation | Football administrator, Telecommunication engineer |
Mustapha Ishola Raji (born 22 June 1974) is a Liberian football administrator and telecommunications engineer. He has served as the president of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) since 2018 and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Early life
Raji was born in Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia, to a Liberian mother and a Nigerian father.[1]
Career
Telecommunications
Raji has a background in telecommunications and served as Radio Access and Network Manager at Orange Liberia.[2]
Club administration
In 1995, Raji founded LISCR FC, originally named Young Barcelona. The club progressed through the Liberian football tiers and won multiple domestic titles, including an unbeaten league season in 2017.[3]
Liberia Football Association
Raji was elected president of the Liberia Football Association in April 2018, succeeding Musa Bility.[4] He was re-elected unopposed for a second term in 2022.[5]
During his presidency, the LFA oversaw the construction of its first permanent headquarters, completed in 2023.[6] His administration also increased support for women's football, including prize money and equipment distribution.[7][8]
The LFA has also introduced awards such as vehicle prizes for MVPs in the top men's and women's leagues.[9]
Confederation of African Football
Raji was elected to the Executive Committee of CAF in 2021, representing the West African Football Union Zone A.[10] He was re-elected unopposed in 2025.[11]
Controversies
Raji’s administration has faced criticism regarding transparency and financial management. In 2023, LFA Secretary-General Isaac Montgomery questioned the reported costs of the association's headquarters project.[12] Raji responded by filing a defamation lawsuit.[13]
In 2024, Raji denied receiving personal honorariums from LFA funds.[14] In 2025, he was summoned by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission in connection with allegations related to public funds used in the construction of the LFA headquarters.[15]
References
- ^ Walker, Christopher C. (26 March 2025). "Liberia: SUP Demands LFA President Raji Resign Over Alleged Nationality Issue and Mismanagement Claims".
- ^ "Meet Mustapha Raji: A Telecommunications Expert Reviving Liberia Football". 26 December 2021.
- ^ "TAPHA MANNEH SETS LEAGUE UNBEATEN RECORD IN LIBERIA". 25 July 2017.
- ^ "Liberia FA Election: Raji, Shannon & Solo Battle to Replace Bility". 30 March 2018.
- ^ "LFA re-elects President, Vice, EC Members". 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Liberia celebrates opening of new headquarters".
- ^ "Liberia Women's Lower League to Benefit US$50K from FIFA". 7 April 2022.
- ^ "Prize Money Increased for 2022/23 Women's Upper League". 13 August 2022.
- ^ "LFA Presents Car Prizes to First Division MVP Winners". 12 December 2024.
- ^ "LFA President Re-elected Alongside CAF Leadership". 13 March 2025.
- ^ "Mustapha Raji, the unopposed Liberian football chief". 14 March 2025.
- ^ "LFA Headquarters Cost Under Question". 2 May 2023.
- ^ "Mustapha Raji, the unopposed Liberian football chief". 14 March 2025.
- ^ "Mustapha Raji Dismisses Claims Of Honorarium". 3 July 2024.
- ^ "LACC Summons Liberia Football Association President Over Alleged Corruption". 30 May 2025.