Gambian referee, Modou Sowe, has been selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), to officiate in the 26th African Nations Cup finals scheduled to take place in Ghana. The competition, which will run from January 20 to February 10, 2008, will be Sowe’s second appearance in Africa’s most prestigious football competition, having officiated in the 2006 Nations Cup finals hosted in Egypt.

Speaking to Observer Sports, Referee Sowe said he hopes to have another good tournament in Ghana, noting that as a man of principle, he will only apply his principle during the two-week long competition.

Asked how he was selected for the Ghana finals, the 44-year old, who felt more excited than proud about being the only Gambian referee in the high-profile tournament, said: “I was selected based on my performance in the CAF club competitions.

Yes, I’m the only Gambian who will officiate in the Ghana finals, but it makes no difference because this is not the first time that The Gambia has only one referee in a Nations Cup tournament. So, I am rather happy than proud for being the only chosen Gambian”.

Modou Sowe, a businessman who doubles as president of the Banjul Sports Committee started refereeing in 1982. He was made a FIFA referee in 1992 starting as an assistant. Just a year after, he joined the list of FIFA referees.

Sowe is one of the most exposed and experienced referees The Gambia has ever produced. Apart from officiating in African Nations Cup finals and CAF club competitions, Sowe also refereed in the UEFA Under17 finals hosted in France in 2005.