Barsi-Giah says FIFA projects not enough to justify Raji third term at LFA

Published: February 13, 2026

MONROVIA — Former Liberia international Civicus Barsi-Giah says Liberia Football Association President Mustapha Raji should step aside at the end of his second term, arguing that FIFA-funded infrastructure projects do not justify a bid for extended leadership in the April 18, 2026 elections.

Barsi-Giah, a former Black Star defensive midfielder and ex-president of NPA Anchor FC, said Thursday in a Facebook post that development in football cannot hinge on one individual.

“No one person can complete development. There will always be room for development. Should we keep him there forever because he’s implementing FIFA’s project?” he wrote.

Raji has led the LFA since 2018 and is seeking another term, campaigning on a record that includes FIFA-supported infrastructure upgrades such as rehabilitated county pitches and the construction of the LFA headquarters, completed in 2022 under the FIFA Forward program.

His supporters argue continuity is necessary to complete ongoing projects and deepen structural reforms.

But critics, including Barsi-Giah, contend that infrastructure gains have not translated into improved performance by Liberia’s national teams or strengthened governance standards.

“Mustapha Raji is no good leader,” Barsi-Giah wrote. “Even if the regulations change to enable him to run for the third term, Mustapha should not have the audacity to run.”

Under current LFA statutes, the presidency is limited to two four-year terms unless amended by Congress. It remains unclear whether any formal proposal to adjust term limits has been submitted ahead of the elections.

Barsi-Giah also accused Raji of inconsistency, recalling that the current LFA president previously opposed former president Musa Hassan Bility’s attempt to secure a third term.

“Everything he’s claiming was never his making. FIFA crafted the thoughts and distributed the ideas,” he said, referring to the global football body’s development framework.

Performance vs. Infrastructure

During Raji’s tenure, Liberia has struggled to qualify for major continental tournaments, and the senior national team has remained outside the upper tiers of African football rankings. Critics argue that facility upgrades have not yielded measurable competitive progress.

Raji has not publicly responded to Barsi-Giah’s latest remarks. Previous statements from his camp have emphasized long-term structural rebuilding, youth development programs, and improved administrative systems.

Political Undercurrents

Barsi-Giah’s comments come as he campaigns for a seat on the LFA Executive Committee in the same April 18 elections — a factor likely to intensify the political dimension of the debate.

Raji faces a presidential challenge from Cassell A. Kuoh, who has pledged governance reforms and greater transparency if elected.

With competing narratives around continuity versus change, the upcoming vote is shaping into one of the most consequential contests in recent LFA history.

For stakeholders across Liberia’s football community, the central question remains whether development should be measured primarily by infrastructure expansion or competitive success — and whether leadership renewal is necessary to achieve it.