Mustapha Ishola Raji
Mustapha Ishola Raji | |
|---|---|
Raji addressing the press | |
| President of the Liberia Football Association[1][2] | |
| Assumed office 19 April 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Musa Bility |
| Executive Committee Member Confederation of African Football[3][2][4] | |
| 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 | |
Mustapha Ishola Raji (born 22 June 1974) is a Liberian businessman and football administrator. He is the current president of the Liberia Football Association (LFA).[6]
Career
Raji is a telecommunications specialist. He previously worked as Radio Access and Network Manager at Orange Liberia.[6]
Club Football
Raji founded LISCR FC, originally named Young Barcelona, in 1995. As president of LISCR FC, he led the club to promotions from the Liberian third tier to the LFA First Division. During his administration, the club won eight trophies, including winning the league unbeaten in 2017.[7]
Liberia Football Association
In 2018, Raji was elected as president of the Liberia Football Association, replacing Musa Bility.[8][9][10] Developments in Liberian football during his tenure include the construction of the LFA's first-ever headquarters in 2023 and the acquisition of additional FIFA funding to support the women's lower league.[11][12][13][14][15]
Considerable rewards for the Most Valuable Players in both the men's and women's leagues have also been introduced, with winners receiving cars.[16][17][18][19] Furthermore, the increase in prize money for winning the men's first division, men's second division, women's upper league, and the LFA Cup has significantly raised the stakes and competitiveness within the leagues.[20][21]
Utilizing the FIFA Forward 2.0 Funds, there have been major upgrades to several key football infrastructures, including the Tusa Field, Doris Williams Stadium, Samuel K. Doe Mini Stadium, and Gompa Stadium.[22][23][24]
He has come under fire for conflicting statements about his financial benefits as President of LFA.[25][26]
Confederation of African Football
Raji is an Executive Committee Member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).[3][2] He first contested a seat representing the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone A in 2021.[2] Raji won the election ahead of Guinean Football Federation president Mamadou Antonio Souaré. In 2025, Raji retained his seat on the Executive Committee for another four years without opposition.[27][28][29]
References
- ^ "Liberia: Raji, Konneh and Dolo Win Liberia FA Elections".
- ^ a b c d "President Weah Hails LFA Boss Mustapha Raji on His Election as CAF Executive Member | the Executive Mansion".
- ^ a b "Executive Committee".
- ^ "Raji Re-elected Unopposed to CAF Executive Committee". 13 March 2025.
- ^ "Raji: Liberia youth key to development". BBC Sport. October 2018.
- ^ a b c "Meet Mustapha Raji: A Telecommunications Expert Reviving Liberia Football". 26 December 2021.
- ^ "TAPHA MANNEH SETS LEAGUE UNBEATEN RECORD IN LIBERIA – the Standard Newspaper | Gambia". 25 July 2017.
- ^ "Liberia FA Election: Raji, Shannon & Solo Battle to Replace Bility". 30 March 2018.
- ^ "Bility's Liberian reign nears end as Raji set to takeover in unopposed election". 6 September 2018.
- ^ "Liberia: Mustapha Raji to Win LFA Presidency in Style".
- ^ "Liberia celebrates opening of new headquarters". inside.fifa.com.
- ^ "Liberia: LFA Dedicates US$1.4M Headquarters Today". 28 April 2023.
- ^ "FIFA Forward a "key factor in the survival of Liberia football"".
- ^ "Liberia Women's Lower League to Benefit US$50K from FIFA". 7 April 2022.
- ^ "LFA Distributes Football Materials to Clubs". www.lfa-lr.com. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ "LFA Presents Car Prizes to First Division MVP Winners - Knews News Online Liberia".
- ^ "LFA Awards Meets Fulfilment as MVPS Ride New Vehicles". 12 December 2024.
- ^ "Doxxbet-Liberia Presents Cars to LFA MVP Award Winners". 13 December 2024.
- ^ "Christopher Jackson wins Liberia Best Footballer Award... takes home a Toyota Corolla – Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS)". 9 November 2019.
- ^ "Raji Delighted with Influx of Foreign Players in Women's League". 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Liberia: Prize Money Increased for 2022/23 Women's Upper League". 13 August 2022.
- ^ "LFA President Inspects Ongoing Renovation at Gompa Mini Stadium - Africa Top Sports". 19 April 2025.
- ^ "President Weah Dedicates TUSA Field, with Fond Words for FIFA, LFA | the Executive Mansion".
- ^ "Liberia: SKD Practice Pitch Ready for Action".
- ^ Roulhac, Thomas Rojo (17 February 2025). "Inside LFA president's staggering financial benefits". The Liberian Investigator. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ Roulhac, Thomas Rojo (23 May 2025). "LFA president Mustapha Raji open to LACC investigation amid corruption allegations". The Liberian Investigator. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ "LFA President Re-elected Alongside CAF Leadership". The Inquirer Newspaper. 13 March 2025.
- ^ Online, Knews (13 March 2025). "LFA Boss Wins Second-Term CAF Top Executive Post on White-Ballot - Knews News Online Liberia". Knews Online.
- ^ "Mustapha Raji, the unopposed Liberian football chief". 14 March 2025.