SEVERAL leading African football nations have not been officially enrolled for the 2002 World Cup qualifying draw 18 days after the deadline. Notable absentees from a list supplied by world controlling body FIFA are Zambia, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Gabon, Guinea and Liberia. All rank among the top 20 national teams on the continent except Liberia, whose captain is former World, European and African Footballer of the Year George Weah. A FIFA statement said requests from more than 40 other unspecified nations to feature in the December 7 draw at the Tokyo International Forum are being considered. The list of enrolments among the 202 FIFA members is headed by Europe with 50. Africa has 36, Asia 32, North and Central America and Caribbean 26, South America 8 and Oceania 6. Europe is also guaranteed the most places at the finals in South Korea and Japan with 14, including defending champions France, followed by Africa with five. Qualifying matches begin on March 1 and must be completed by November 11 2001. The 32-nation finals kick off in South Korea on June 1 2002 and end on June 30 in Japan.