Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea’s performance during Morocco’s win over Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has sparked heated debate online.
After the game, fans criticised Laryea for what they described as biased and poor officiating during the Super Eagles’ semi-final defeat to Morocco on January 14, 2026.
Nigeria eventually lost 4–2 on penalties after Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi’s spot-kicks were saved by Yassine Bounou, following a goalless draw after extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
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The Eagles committed 29 fouls compared to Morocco’s 19, yet received two yellow cards while the hosts were not cautioned once, prompting accusations of one-sided officiating.
As Nigerians expressed their outrage, some Ghanaian football fans joined the critics, lambasting the referee for what they believed was a poor performance that negatively affected the West African giants.
They argued that most of the 50/50 fouls were called in favor of the host nation, giving Morocco an advantage to dominate the game and eventually win.
However, some sports fans and journalists were quick to condemn the barrage of criticisms against Laryea, insisting that he got most of his decisions right and officiated fairly.
They noted that, given the immense pressure the game presented, the Ghanaian referee composed himself well and made tough calls, urging critics to stop the attacks on his personality.
Read the comments below:
I’m surprised by the reaction to the Daniel Laryea situation. Nigeria didn’t lose because of bad refereeing. They lost because they couldn’t create any real chances in open play and blew their advantage in the shootout. Pretty simple.
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) January 15, 2026
He was decent. He wasn’t terrible. He wasn’t the reason they lost. Nobody is going to turn this on Daniel Laryea. https://t.co/NLXGt4ew8s
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) January 15, 2026
🇬🇭 Congratulations to Referee Daniel Laryea on his outstanding performance in officiating the Nigeria vs Morocco match. He has truly lifted the flag of Ghana high and continues to be an inspiration to young referees across the country.
Kudos to Morocco and Senegal on reaching… pic.twitter.com/pvwKutuyie
— Patrick Yaw Boamah (@pyboamah) January 14, 2026
Ghana twitter was on VAR duty for referee Daniel Laryea tonight. @SaddickAdams led the charge, reviewing decisions with one screen and parrying Naija low-blow comments with another.
Solidarity. https://t.co/foufGnTGP7
— Samuel Bartels (@sammybartels) January 14, 2026
Nigeria made the whole fixture against Morocco a Ghana feud—an unfair fixture even before the ball was kicked.
Making the whole game about Daniel Laryea shifted focus
Nigeria averaged 5 big chances per game yet made zero(0) big chances v Morocco
Now leave the referee alone! pic.twitter.com/HuFdLc0d6Q
— Yaw Ampofo Jr (@Yaw_Ampofo_) January 15, 2026
The Ref had a great game and it’s normal with Nigerians to look for who to blame when things go down south…
— ffaroukk (@ffaroukk68) January 15, 2026
You dey mind them sef 😂😂😂😂😂
Sore losers!— Eddy Kay (@Benny07Kay) January 15, 2026
Laryea was brought in under strange circumstances after Morocco complained about the passports of the designated referees. NOT their body of work.
Then he made 3 high profile mistakes, 2 of which favor Morocco.
Then he gets rewarded with a semi final?
How often do you see that? https://t.co/k4YmslYJeX— Victor (@AtsuTamakloe) January 14, 2026
Probably you are a clout chaser and want engagements. Some of you will stoop so low for a temporary, empty fame.
— Jean Naa Aryeley Aryee (@naa_Genie) January 15, 2026
Ei some of you are very terrible. This referee did a fair job. Were you expecting him to blow the whistle at every fall? And to think it’s a country man who wants to tear down a fellow brother. Shame on you.
— Jean Naa Aryeley Aryee (@naa_Genie) January 15, 2026
SB/EB
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