Ghanaian Referee Responds to Backlash After AFCON Semi-Final Officiating

Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has reacted to widespread criticism over his performance during the AFCON 2025 semi-final between Nigeria and Morocco in Rabat, insisting he is unfazed by the backlash.

Laryea was at the centre of controversy after fans and players accused him of poor and biased officiating in the goalless contest that Morocco eventually won 4–2 on penalties.

Among the decisions scrutinised was his booking of Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey, a card that ruled him out of subsequent matches.
Reacting to the criticism on Sporty TV, Laryea said:

“No, it’s okay. It’s football.”

His remarks come amid ongoing debate over officiating standards at the tournament, with many Super Eagles supporters describing several calls as contentious.

Nigerian full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel also voiced his disappointment after the game, calling the referee’s performance “appalling” while insisting it was not necessarily the reason for Nigeria’s defeat.

Laryea’s Instagram account was reported to be deactivated following waves of online backlash directed at him on social media.

As discussions over officiating continue to swirl, both fans and pundits have called for greater clarity and consistency from match officials in the CAF-run competition.

EDITORIAL

To officiate in the cauldron of an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final is to inhabit a crucible no less intense than that faced by the players on the pitch. Daniel Nii Laryea’s stoic response to the torrent of criticism that followed Nigeria’s narrow defeat to Morocco speaks to the modern referee’s unenviable position called upon to arbitrate in a theatre where every touch is magnified and every decision becomes folklore.

Yet, to understand the vitriol is not to excuse it. Football — particularly at the knockout stage of a continental championship  is weighted with national pride and collective aspiration. When those hopes falter, the instinctive search for causality often turns toward the men in black. In that febrile atmosphere, even balanced decisions can be distorted into perceived bias.

Laryea’s casual “It’s football” encapsulates both defiance and resignation. On the one hand, it reflects an acceptance that sport is imperfect, that human judgement will always be part of the game’s DNA. On the other, it reveals the blindness of those who overlook context the referees, like the players, operate within a system rife with pressure, expectation and, yes, occasional error.

However, the fury directed at Laryea — extending to online vitriol and the deactivation of his Instagram account — hints at a deeper malaise. In an era where social media amplifies every dissenting voice and shields anonymity with impunity, the referee’s role becomes increasingly perilous. Critique is part of football’s lifeblood, but when it curdles into harassment, it betrays a sport that must do more to protect its arbiters as fervently as it celebrates its heroes.

Ultimately, the integrity of football rests not solely on flawless officiating, which is unattainable, but on the perception of fairness and respect for the human element within the game. As Africa’s premier tournament continues to evolve, so too must the structures that support those entrusted with its stewardship. Only then can the echoes of controversy be replaced with confidence in the craft that remains as integral to football as the goals that define it.

DID YOU KNOW?

1. Daniel Nii Laryea’s officiating sparked such intense online backlash that his Instagram account was reportedly deactivated following the Nigeria vs Morocco game.
2. The referee’s yellow card to Calvin Bassey not only drew criticism from fans but also had competitive implications by ruling Bassey out of future matches.
3. Bright Osayi-Samuel publicly called Laryea’s performance “appalling”, though he clarified it was not the sole reason for Nigeria’s elimination.
4. Nigeria committed more fouls than Morocco in the semi-final (29 vs. 19), yet Moroccan players received no cautions, fuelling perceptions of one-sided officiating.
5. Officiating controversies are not unique to this match — complaints from other nations, including Algeria, have previously been filed with CAF and FIFA over perceived poor refereeing at AFCON tournaments.