Most Liberians would have believed their fortunes on the football field would change when a previous Ballon d'Or winner was elected as the country's President.
Stakeholders continue to hold out hope that George Weah can dribble through growing issues and improve the national game four and a half years later.
In January 2018, the 55-year-old was sworn in as president and made a number of promises, including to revive the economy, eradicate corruption, reform healthcare and education, and generate tens of thousands of employment for the underprivileged.
However, some of his most ardent supporters now that he has served for the majority of his six-year tenure in government think that the West African nation's faltering economy is to blame for football's financial problems as well as its lack of infrastructure, development, and investment.
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The tough health sector is just one of the government's main objectives, according to Henry Browne, technical director of the Liberia Football Association (LFA), speaking to BBC Sport Africa.
"Every government agency invested money in football in the 1980s and 1990s, but that is not the situation today.
"In terms of proper financial support, we are still behind. Other industries have high expectations of the government, but I believe that in order for us to begin competing, it needs to boost its support.
Many had expected Weah to be as successful a President as he was a footballer.
The former Liberia striker made his name in Europe at Monaco, Paris St-Germain and AC Milan before brief spells at Manchester City and Chelsea.
On the eve of his inauguration, then-LFA boss Musa Bility predicted a bright future for football. After all, Weah promised to make "transforming the lives of all Liberians" the "singular mission" of his presidency.
Bility also sat on the Confederation of African Football's executive committee but was given a 10-year ban by FIFA in July 2019 for breaching its code of ethics
Challenges facing football
Liberia was embroiled in civil war during the 1990s, but the national team had some of their best days, with Weah leading them to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 1996 and 2002.
While still a player, he served as the national team's technical director between 2000 and 2002 and launched an unsuccessful bid to run the LFA after retiring in 2004, before turning to politics a year later.
It is now two decades since the Lone Stars appeared at a major tournament and the country's national stadium, the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) sports complex, was one of several deemed unfit to hold international matches by Caf and Fifa last August.
Liberia have a better chance than ever of making the next Nations Cup finals in the Ivory Coast in 2024, with their qualifying group reduced to three teams after Zimbabwe were removed.
But, after an opening defeat by Morocco, the financially-stricken LFA are searching for a new coach after deciding not to extend the contract of Peter Butler.
James Debbah, a former footballer for Lyon and PSG who is also Weah's cousin, played with the President for more than 20 years, but he views politics as being completely different from sport.
The 52-year-old Debbah claimed, "We were successful when he was on the field.
"Trying to get everyone together, hire ex-pro athletes for the Ministry of Youth & Sports, and get the nation back on track is far more difficult now," said the author.
When asked if Weah ought to be humiliated by Liberia's failure to make it into big competitions, Debbah added: "It isn't embarrassing, in my opinion. He has made significant contributions to football in this nation and continues to do so.
James Debbah, a former footballer for Lyon and PSG who is also Weah's cousin, played with the President for more than 20 years, but he views politics as being completely different from sport.
"He is not to be held accountable for what occurs on the field. He has been providing the tools necessary for us to be eligible."
Lone Stars deputy coach Thomas Kojo, director of sports at the Ministry of Youth & Sports, also played with Weah for Liberia.
"I can't say that the President should take [all the] money from the government's coffers to direct it into football but there are many ways money can come to the national team's programmes," said Kojo.
"There are different concession agreements where we can raise money because the President can't use every fund to build football infrastructures. There are companies in Liberia that can support the national team in addition to the government."
Fifa's money
Like other Fifa member associations, Liberia has benefited from development programmes launched by world football's governing body since May 2016.
The LFA has channelled $1.4m (£1.16m) it received from Fifa to develop its headquarters, which is nearing completion, while other funds were used for four mini-stadiums in Montserrado and Grand Bassa counties.
Former LFA vice president Wilmot F. Smith Jr says Weah has been "fully supportive" of the drive to improve football despite national challenges.
"The government has provided subsidies to clubs who qualify for Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup," said Smith.
"In a bid to improve the national team, it hired Peter Butler and supported every request from him.
"There are competing priorities for scarce resources, but the government has been honouring requests from the LFA to fund the national teams at all levels. President Weah is doing everything to improve football.
"All we can do is to wait and see a new day for Liberian football under George Weah."
Stadium issues
Liberia are set to replace Peter Butler (left) as coach, with their next 2023 Nations Cup qualifiers not scheduled until March next year
The SKD has undergone another round of renovations, estimated at $2m (£1.65m), which included the laying of artificial turf and the installation of bucket seats.
Caf gave the SKD clearance to hold its first match since October 2019, with Liberia losing 3-0 to Senegal in an African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier on 24 July.
"Weah knows what it takes to develop football," presidential press secretary Isaac Solo Kelgbeh told BBC Sport Africa.
"Football will get better and develop under Weah when we work together, because he isn't the president of the FA. Weah is prepared to work with footballing authorities. We have to be patient for results."
Weah rode to the seat of the presidency on his performances on the pitch and journalist Naomi Tappia believes he will be judged harshly if football has not developed by the time he leaves power.
"I believe football has to improve looking at the President we have. Football made him an international icon," Tappia explained.
"This is a sport that made him reach where he is in life now."
However, with Liberians preparing for a presidential election in October next year, Weah's time to make an impact on the game may be running out.
