Wesley replaces Snowe, pictured here with George Weah

Liberian Izetta Sombo Wesley has become the first woman to head a national football association in Africa by taking over the running of her country's ruling body.

The lawyer is the new president of the Liberian Football Association after the resignation of Edwin Snowe at the organisation's congress in Monrovia earlier this month.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) confirmed notification of the change of leadership on Thursday.

A long-serving sports administrator in the war-ravaged west African country, Wesley has also served as a match commissioner for Caf.

She is also a city councillor and part of a transitional committee established last year in Liberia to facilitate a smooth and orderly transfer of power after the ousting of former Liberia President Charles Taylor.

Wesley will hope that Liberia can reach its first ever World Cup finals under her charge.

The Lone Star have been drawn in Group 1 of 2006 World Cup and Nations Cup qualifying alongside Senegal, Mali, Zambia, Togo and Congo.

The qualifiers start in June and finish in October 2005.