Liberia is mostly known for a fourteen-year long civil war that ravaged the West African country - yet the country's footballers occasionally stole the limelight from the warring factions during this time.

The national team, inspired by superstar George Weah, provided one of the few positive images to come out of the country.

"Football has been very inspirational," national team goalkeeper Louis Crayton told BBC World Service's World Football programme.

"Football draws people from all walks of life, all ethnic backgrounds, all different groups and all warring factions in Liberia.

"When it comes to football in this nation, everyone is united - just for those 90 minutes."

Modest team

Throughout 14 years of civil war, one of the few things Liberians had in common was football.

Led by Fifa's 1995 World Footballer of the Year George Weah, Liberia's footballers attempted to bring some hope to a country almost devoid of it.

"Football is all to the masses of Liberia," said Liberia's Minister of Sports Wheatonia Dixon-Barnes.

"Football is number one. It's crazy, they just go wild and football really is a unifier for us.

"Even during the heat of the war, they put down their arms and came to football games."

And cheer they did, as the Lone Star almost, against all odds, qualified for the 2002 World Cup finals.

But with Weah and other greats having retired, today's team is more modest.

Before their last game, a 2006 World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualifier against Senegal, then Liberia coach Kadalah Kromah spoke about how football had been able to help the country.

"One thing football has in it is enjoyment, the fun," he said.

"Secondly, when you bring people together, you can council them, talk one-on-one and you can develop sportsmanlike behaviour in them: you can win or lose, but you are still friends after.

"I really see it as something good for all of us."

Violence

But he also said there is pressure on his footballers, who are "expected to perform miracles."

And he stressed that his own job was made very difficult with limited resources. Shortly afterwards, he quit as coach.

Yet the circumstances behind his departure reveal in horribly graphic detail the pressure he and others within Liberian football face.

A young Lone Star side lost 3-0 at home to 2002 World Cup quarter-finalists Senegal, a result that all but put the Lone Star out of the qualifying race for both the World Cup and Nations Cup next year.

The fans' reaction was violent. Bottles and stones rained down on players, coach Kromah's house was looted and two people died in the riots.

"I am very discouraged because of what I've seen happening in my country," Crayton said.

"It is a sad situation. You can't do that.

"It shows that there is no law and order in this country."