Ledgerhood Rennie BBC Sport Online in Monrovia

Group 2: Liberia v Niger

Liberia are set to go into Saturday's game with few of their overseas stars.

Most of foreign-based players are either yet to turn up or have made their excuses.

Coach Kadala Kromah invited a dozen of his most experience players, including the former World Footballer of the Year, George Weah, but few seem likely to appear.

Ace Goalie Louis Crayton has told the FA that he won't be available as he's presently having trials in Germany.

Midfielders Kelvin Sebwe and Oliver Makor, and striker Zizi Roberts, are yet to respond to their invitations.

Weah has been invited

Prince Daye, George Gebro, defender Jimmy Dixon and midfielder Dulee Johnson are all yet to show up in Monrovia, despite the FA saying they should have arrived last weekend.

Sunday games banned

The absences are a severe blow to Kromah's preparations.

Since Liberia's 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Guinea in their opening qualifier, he has been trying to lure back Liberia's overseas stars who competed at the Nations Cup in Mali.

Kromah told BBC Sport Online that if he was expected to lead the Lone Star to qualification, then the inclusion of some of the country's pedigree players was imperative.

The game has been switched from Saturday to Sunday to follow Liberia government regulations.

It was introduced after Liberia lost to Ghana in Monrovia on a Sunday which ruined their chances of going to the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Niger, who have never made the finals, will be looking to build on their impressive start which saw them beat Ethiopia 3-1.