Paynesville, Liberia – CAF-licensed coach and Liberian international football player have openly supported Mustapha Raji, the LFA president, stating that he is the most qualified person to maintain and further the nation’s recent football advancements.
James Salinsa Debbah, a CAF-certified coach educator and the most well-known former member of Liberia’s national team, made the comments. He is currently carrying out technical training tasks in neighboring Sierra Leone as part of his professional duty.
Comparing the football conditions of the two nations, Debbah pointed out that under Raji’s leadership, Liberia has made notable progress in the areas of infrastructure, talent development, governance, and policy change. These developments, he claimed, put the nation ahead of a number of its neighbors in the area.
LFA President Mustapha I. Raji
Debbah gave a direct evaluation after going to a Sierra Leonean first-division game in the Maboka area. “After my lecture concluded, my students encouraged me to come watch a premier league game here. Liberia is doing better and is far ahead in several important areas, according to what I witnessed,” he stated.
Debbah noted that many football communities in Sierra Leone still suffer issues with subpar playing fields, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of administrative ability problems that Liberia has been addressing more and more in recent years.
Debbah maintained that infrastructure and environment play a critical role in turning potential into performance, even though Sierra Leone, like Liberia, still has a wealth of undeveloped talent. “Our players are capable, but they also require well-structured systems and appropriate fields. Playing on rough surfaces shortens careers and limits development,” he continued.
Historically, Liberia’s football industry has been underinvested, especially in the years following the 14-year civil war that destroyed athletic facilities and interrupted youth development programs.
However, Liberia has seen a resurgence in football infrastructure investment since the mid-2010s, and this has been more pronounced under Raji’s leadership. These include: Increasing cooperation with government ministries and foreign partners; building artificial turf fields in multiple counties; renovating and using ministerial and county stadiums; and expanding grassroots, women and youth tournaments, among other initiatives.
According to football supporters, Liberia currently has more playable standard pitches than it has had since the 1980s. This is important for player development and CAF licensing compliance. Debbah stated that stakeholders had to be appreciative. Raji has performed well, he reiterated, from stadium improvements to artificial fields with more on the horizon.
Beyond the physical infrastructure, Debbah emphasized advancements in administrative reform and football governance, pointing out that progress has been driven by more organized policies and transparent mechanisms. Transparent administration, license compliance, and technical development frameworks are crucial for long-term football advancement in Africa, according to CAF research.
Liberia has gradually come into compliance with these requirements, as seen by its growing involvement in CAF competitions and coaching initiatives. “This expansion wasn’t a coincidence. It was accomplished by leadership, administration, and policy,” Debbah said.
Debbah strongly advised football players and the general public to avoid politicizing the game, cautioning that internal strife could undo the progress made thus far. “Leave Raji alone to carry out his duties. Because of this leadership, Liberia has become more well-known in the football world. We will only slow down if we politicize the game,” he remarked.
Historically, political meddling and administrative conflicts have made Liberian football vulnerable to FIFA and CAF scrutiny. A major factor in Liberia’s recent avoidance of such crises, according to observers, has been stable at the top.
Debbah, who is widely recognized as one of Liberia’s most legendary football players, ended by emphasizing the value of long-term vision over immediate conflicts and presenting Raji’s leadership as a component of a continuum rather than an isolated endeavor. “Raji is a symbol of consistency. He requires the room to get on with his development and growth. “Distractions don’t help football progress,” Debbah stressed.
The expansion of technical expertise through CAF programs, improved facilities around the nation, and increasing youth football involvement have put Liberia’s football industry at a turning point. The former lonestar player pointed out that stability, cohesion, and consistent investment will be crucial in determining if these gains translate into long-term global competitiveness.
For Debbah, the way is already clear. “In a fairly brief period of time, notable progress has been made. The present tasks are to protect it and build upon it.”
