Daniel Laryea Responds Briefly as Controversy Trails Semi-Final Clash in Rabat.
Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has reacted to the heavy backlash that followed his officiating during the AFCON 2025 semi-final between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and host nation Morocco on Wednesday night in Rabat.
The highly charged encounter ended 0–0 after 120 minutes, before Morocco edged Nigeria 4–2 on penalties to book their place in the final. However, the spotlight quickly shifted from the football to the officiating, with many Nigerian fans accusing Laryea of biased and inconsistent decisions that allegedly favoured the hosts.
Decisions That Sparked Outrage
Among the calls that drew the most criticism was the yellow card shown to Calvin Bassey, a decision that would have ruled the defender out of the final had Nigeria progressed. Supporters also questioned several foul calls and the general disciplinary imbalance during the match.
Super Eagles players Akor Adams and Bright Osayi-Samuel did not hide their frustration after the game, with Osayi-Samuel reportedly describing the referee’s performance as “appalling.”
Laryea’s Reaction
Responding to the criticism during an appearance on Sporty TV, Laryea played down the backlash, offering a brief response:
“No, it’s okay. It’s football.”
The comment has done little to calm the storm, as debates around the officiating continue across social media and football circles.
Not the First Officiating Complaint at AFCON 2025
Nigeria are not the only nation to raise concerns about refereeing at the tournament. Earlier in the competition, Algeria’s Football Federation reportedly submitted official complaints to CAF and FIFA following their round-of-16 clash against Nigeria, also citing poor officiating.
The growing list of controversies has reignited conversations around refereeing standards and accountability at major African tournaments.
Focus Shifts Forward
While the officiating debate rages on, the Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the third-place playoff, hoping to end their AFCON 2025 campaign on a positive note.
