Monrovia – Former Liberia Soccer Affiliation (LFA) presidential hopeful Christian Geeply Weah has publicly endorsed the management of incumbent President Mustapha Raji, reversing his earlier stance and distancing himself from the opposition bloc he as soon as supported.
By Christopher C. Walker | [email protected]
Weah, who had introduced his intention to contest the LFA presidency within the 2026 elections, made the announcement in an in depth public assertion titled “Why I Stand with the LFA Management — And Why the Fact Should Be Instructed.” Within the assertion, he accuses his former opposition allies of deception, infighting, and an absence of real dedication to soccer reform.
“I select to face with the present LFA management not as a result of it’s flawless, however as a result of it’s no less than rooted in stability and a imaginative and prescient, nevertheless imperfect, that prioritizes soccer over private egos,” Weah mentioned.
His endorsement follows the breakdown of a political alliance between himself and fellow LFA presidential aspirant Anthony Cassell Kouh. The coalition was as soon as thought of a formidable problem to the Raji administration, with potential to unite reformists throughout the Liberian soccer neighborhood. Nevertheless, Weah claims the alliance collapsed attributable to inside sabotage and conflicting ambitions.
“What we tried to construct was greater than anybody man. Sadly, what we confronted behind the scenes was a distinct beast: hidden agendas, deceitful maneuvering, and people extra keen on energy than progress,” he wrote.
Weah additionally disclosed that he had agreed to function Kouh’s operating mate primarily based on what he believed have been shared beliefs, however later found the partnership was a façade. “There was by no means a shared imaginative and prescient. What we had was an alliance infiltrated by lies and pushed by greed,” he mentioned.
Sources near the failed coalition confirmed ongoing tensions, citing disputes over marketing campaign technique, management construction, and monetary accountability. Weah’s public exit is the primary open admission of the discord throughout the opposition ranks.
In an extra growth, Weah revealed he’s engaged on a e-book that may element the occasions resulting in the collapse of the alliance and identify these he claims sabotaged the hassle. The e-book is predicted to be launched later this 12 months forward of the April 2026 LFA elections.
“This e-book isn’t about bitterness. It’s about classes. It’s about making certain the subsequent era doesn’t repeat the errors we made behind closed doorways,” Weah advised FrontPage Africa.
A senior official within the Raji camp, who spoke on situation of anonymity, welcomed the endorsement however urged warning. “Weah is a revered voice. His criticisms have all the time come from a spot of ardour for the sport. If he sees worth in our management, we owe it to him and the Liberian folks to rise to the event,” the official mentioned. President Raji has not but publicly responded to the endorsement.
Whereas the endorsement was praised by some, critics throughout the soccer neighborhood have dismissed it as politically motivated. “The place was this realization months in the past when he was campaigning in opposition to the identical folks he’s now praising?” requested an area soccer administrator.
Nonetheless, some analysts consider Weah’s shift may affect undecided stakeholders and reshape the dynamics of the upcoming election. His pivot is being interpreted by observers as a mirrored image of the fractured state of the opposition and a strategic transfer to protect affect.
Weah insists his choice is just not political expediency however a name for unity and progress. “We’ve made soccer about cliques, not golf equipment. About positions, not progress. It’s time we put Liberia first,” he acknowledged.
