Gambian to officiate in Caf Under 20 finals

Gambian referee Seedy Manneh has been selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to officiate in the upcoming African Youth Championship finals to be hosted in Kigali, Rwanda, Observer Sports can reveal

Manneh, a FIFA badged assistant referee, left Banjul yesterday to join other selected referees and assistant referees for the biannual youth event, which is fixed between January 18 and February 1, 2009. Gambia’s referee chief Badou Jasseh told Observer Sports that Seedy Manneh’s presence in the eight-nation tournament is a big plus for Gambia who were bronze medalists in the 2007 finals hosted in Congo-Brazzaville.

“Seedy’s participation in the Rwanda competition is a big plus for The  Gambia. The Under 20 tournament is a big competition and I am happy that a Gambian has been selected to officiate the matches,” revealed veteran referee Jasseh who presently serves as chairman of the Gambia Referee Committee.

The Gambia failed to qualify for the Rwanda tournament after suffering a back-to-back defeat against the pre-tournament favourites Ghana in the final qualifier matches.