Africa-Press – Liberia. Cassell Anthony Kuoh, the president of FC Fassell and an outspoken contender for the presidency of the Liberia Football Association (LFA), has strongly criticized the leadership of Mustapha Raji, calling his vision for the country’s football development the “worst” to date.
Kuoh, who is set to challenge Raji in the 2026 LFA Elective Congress, contends that Raji’s bid for a third term would only perpetuate an ineffective system and prevent necessary reforms in Liberian football.
In a forceful statement, Kuoh took aim at Raji’s leadership, labeling the incumbent’s claim of a “football revolution” as misleading and unsubstantiated. “If Raji truly changed football, Liberia wouldn’t still be at the bottom of African rankings,” Kuoh remarked. “We need leadership that fosters growth from within, not one that sells FIFA-funded dreams while local football remains in turmoil.”
Kuoh argued that much of the supposed progress under Raji’s tenure has been due to external funding, particularly from FIFA, rather than any groundbreaking changes introduced by the LFA president.
He dismissed Raji’s justification for a third term based on infrastructure projects, pointing out that these projects were financed by FIFA’s Forward Program and not by Raji’s leadership or personal initiative.
“The argument that he deserves a third term because of infrastructure projects is laughable when those very projects were bankrolled by FIFA’s Forward Program, not his ingenuity or leadership,” Kuoh said.
One of Kuoh’s main points of contention was the ongoing financial difficulties faced by local football leagues, particularly the youth programs. Since the withdrawal of Orange Liberia as the title sponsor, these leagues have struggled to find financial stability.
According to Kuoh, the LFA has become increasingly reliant on foreign funding, without any clear path toward self-sufficiency or sustainable financial planning.
“Clubs are still struggling, players barely have opportunities beyond Liberia, and national teams are still missing training camps due to funding issues,” Kuoh pointed out. “Where’s the actual progress? The situation has barely improved.”
Another focal point of Kuoh’s criticism was Raji’s promotion of digital initiatives, notably the FIFA Connect system, which Kuoh claimed was presented as a major achievement by the current administration, despite it being a mandatory program from FIFA for all member associations.
“Digitalization wasn’t some groundbreaking move by Raji. FIFA Connect was a system that had to be implemented anyway,” Kuoh explained. “Sure, it helped with illegal transfers, but what has it done to fix the deeper problems?”
Kuoh’s critique extended to Raji’s financial entitlements, including a reported annual stipend of $25,000 from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and an additional $80,000 as a CAF Executive Committee member, along with perks such as travel and accommodation expenses.
He argued that while youth football programs face cuts, the LFA president is able to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle funded by external organizations.
“Meanwhile, youth football programs are being cut left and right. Our U-15, U-17, and U-20 teams are suffering, yet the guy at the top is living comfortably. That’s not leadership — that’s self-preservation,” Kuoh said.
Kuoh’s call for leadership that prioritizes the growth of local football, financial independence, and genuine progress could mark a pivotal shift in the way football is managed in Liberia. Whether his vision will resonate with stakeholders and voters remains to be seen, but his message is clear: the time for change is now.
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