It has been an extraordinary 12 months for Liberia.
As well as qualifying for only their second Nations Cup, a place at the World Cup was on the cards until Nigeria beat them to it by a single point.
This is all heady stuff for a Nation starved of success, save for the European exploits of their legend George Weah. He is undoubtably the star attraction in Mali.
Nothing, though, suggests Liberia will stay in past the first round.
The team is liable to fall apart under pressure, and preparations have been chaotic.
A warm-up match against Egypt was called-off after only eight Lone Star players turned up in Cairo.
