Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has dismissed allegations that he showed bias against Nigeria during their Africa Cup of Nations semi-final defeat to host nation Morocco at the 2025 tournament.
Laryea came under criticism from sections of Super Eagles supporters following the loss, with claims circulating that his officiating favoured the home side. However, the experienced official has maintained that he handled the match with professionalism and in strict adherence to the Laws of the Game.
Speaking to the media after returning from Morocco, Laryea said he paid no attention to online reactions or rivalry-driven narratives surrounding the high-profile fixture.
“For me, I just do my refereeing. I just do football,” he said. “I don’t listen to what goes in and out of social media or whatever is happening there. We just apply the Laws of the Game.”
Describing the encounter as the biggest assignment of his career so far, Laryea revealed that it was his first time officiating an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final.
“As a referee, when you are given such a stage, it is a big opportunity,” he noted. “When I was appointed for the game, I felt normal, but there was a bit of anxiety because it was my first AFCON semi-final.”
He further acknowledged the intense pressure that comes with officiating matches at the latter stages of major tournaments, where the margin for error is extremely small.
“Semi-final matches are always the toughest because teams are fighting for a place in the final,” he added. “Any team that reaches that stage has already achieved something significant.”
