By Ledgerhood Rennie BBC Sport, Monrovia

Ophelia Doeway is Liberia's first woman referee

At first glance, Ophelia Doeway, Liberia's first female national referee, may not strike you as the best person to send on to a football pitch to be an official.

But when she does take charge and blows her whistle, your views may well change very quickly.

The diminutive Doeway may only be 23 years old but she has already been a referee for five years, having begun her career at the sub-associational level of Liberian football.

"This is actually where things are most difficult since most of the players and spectators in these lower divisions are ignorant of the laws of the game" she told BBC Sport.

She said that although she never dreamt of being appointed by Liberia's National Referee Association as an official, she is in no way frightened by the dominance of men on the pitch or the pressure from victory-hungry supporters.

"I don't find it at all difficult because there are always going to be problems in anything that you try to do," she said.

"I've made some mistakes but I have not allowed them to affect my game.

"As long as I know I'm trying to do the right thing I am happy."

Initially, Doeway's family, especially her mother, did not want her to be a football referee because they were afraid she may be physically attacked by angry supporters or even players.

"They all appreciate my role, especially now that I have been promoted to the rank of national referee," she said.

Having already officiated several games in Liberia's National League Championship, Doeway has now set her sights on becoming a Fifa-recognised referee and she is looking forward to the day when she gets an international assignment.

Liberia's chief referee Idrissa Kabbah says Doeway is good and with time she will improve.

"I see her achieving her goals in refereeing and we will give her the chance to mature," he said.