A Critical Look At Weah’s Stadium Visit And The So-Called Football Allies Narrative

The recent appearance of former President George Weah at a local league match has ignited a wave of discussions regarding his alleged interest in the political landscape of Liberian football.
Since leaving office, Weah has rarely attended local league matches, which has prompted questions about whether his sudden attendance was driven by genuine concern for the sport or was simply a strategic move aimed at rallying support for a potential candidate in the upcoming Liberia Football Association (LFA) presidential elections slated for 2026.
A recent publication suggested that Weah’s visit was intended to fuel the growing political tension within the LFA, portraying his presence as a calculated maneuver to stir political momentum.
Nevertheless, as a former president and football icon, Weah has every right to support any candidate of his choosing or to visit local football grounds.
In fact, his attendance, just like that of other prominent figures, such as the current LPRC General Manager, should be encouraged. Such appearances can help bolster attendance at local league games, a practice that has proven effective in countries where football enjoys widespread public support.
Another contentious issue raised regarding Weah’s visit is the ongoing narrative that LFA President Mustapha Raji allegedly maneuvered to sideline Weah’s football allies, including former Executive Committee member Pepsci Yekeh and Vice President for Operations Wilmot Smith, both of whom were ousted in the 2022 elections. But the real question is: were these individuals truly sidelined by Raji, or were they voted out by the very stakeholders they now seek to court for support? If they were as influential as they claim to be, why did they lose their positions?
Instead of accepting their electoral defeat as a reflection of their performance, they have resorted to blaming Raji for their loss. This raises further questions: Should they even be regarded as Weah’s football allies, or simply his personal associates attempting to capitalize on his name to regain their lost influence?
This new strategy by the so-called Weah’s football allies only exposes their lack of political sophistication and their inability to truly win over the football stakeholders, as the latest articles suggest.
Those who are now attempting to capitalize on Weah’s influence once portrayed themselves as his closest football allies, with the expectation that their proximity to him would result in tangible benefits for Liberian football.
To date, these promises have amounted to nothing. Now, they seem to be pushing a new narrative of “payback” and are once again engaged in the “lean-on-me” approach to settle personal scores. Is their renewed interest in Liberian football really about development, or is it just a power play to reclaim lost influence?
Furthermore, it is worth noting the repeated criticism that Raji has faced for not doing enough to develop football in Liberia. This critique, however, only seems to emerge when certain individuals are no longer in leadership positions.
If football development is truly stagnated under Raji, why go looking for extended influences mesmerize the stakeholders.
Rather than resorting to sweeping generalizations and accusing people for their downfall, they should present concrete accomplishments that set them apart from their counterparts. The football community needs more than rhetoric, it requires action, vision, and accountability.
While it would be remiss to underestimate the influence of King George Mannah Weah in Liberian football or the politics surrounding it, it is equally important to address those who are falsely portraying themselves as his football allies.
These individuals must desist from using Weah’s image to further their own political ambitions. It is abundantly clear that their primary intent is to promote personal interests rather than advance the true growth of Liberian football.
Weah’s football legacy should not be exploited for political maneuvering but rather serve as an inspiration to develop talent and elevate the sport in Liberia.
Ultimately, Liberian football stakeholders must ask themselves a critical question: Is this about genuine football development, or is it simply another political game orchestrated by a group seeking to reclaim lost power? The facts are undeniable: when given the opportunity to lead, these so-called football allies failed to make a lasting impact. It is now up to the stakeholders to decide whether they will fall for the same chicanery once again.
In light of these developments, it is essential for Fassell CEO to proceed with caution when dealing with those branding themselves as Weah’s football allies.
The football community deserves more than political opportunism, it deserves real vision and commitment to the sport’s growth.