Gambian referee, Modou Sowe, will leave Banjul today for Ghana where he will officiate in the 26th African Nations Cup finals scheduled to take place in the West African nation.

The competition, which will run from January 20 to February 10, 2008, will be Sowe’s third appearance in Africa’s most prestigious football competition, having officiated in the 2004 and 2006 Nations Cup finals hosted in Tunisia and Egypt, respectively.

In an interview with Observer Sports, Referee Sowe said he hopes to have a memorable 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 for being the only Gambian referee in the high-profile tournament, said: “I was selected based on my performances in the CAF club competitions.

I am 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, who also serves 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 Under 17 finals hosted in France in 2005.