{"id":24785,"date":"2026-01-15T10:45:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T10:45:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/24785\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T10:45:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T10:45:22","slug":"afcon-nigerian-fans-slam-ghanaian-referee-laryea-after-super-eagles-defeat-to-morocco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/24785\/","title":{"rendered":"AFCON: Nigerian fans slam Ghanaian referee Laryea after Super Eagles defeat to Morocco"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Nigerian football fans have slammed Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea for poor officiating during the Super Eagles\u2019 semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco<\/a> at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).\n<\/p>\n

Many fans called Wednesday night\u2019s officiating in Rabat \u201ccompromised,\u201d citing the long-standing rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria or perceived bias against the Super Eagles to favour Morocco as the host country.\n<\/p>\n

Read Also: AFCON 2025: Morocco edge Nigeria on penalties to reach final<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Penalty Shootout Heartbreak for Super Eagles<\/p>\n

For the second time in eight years, the Super Eagles were eliminated on penalties in a major competition, losing 4\u20132 to the Atlas Lions after a tense goalless draw that stretched into extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.\n<\/p>\n

Hamza Igamane, Eliesse Ben Seghir, captain Achraf Hakimi and Youssef El-Nesyri converted their spot-kicks for Morocco.<\/p>\n

Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored for Nigeria. Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi both had their penalties saved by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.\n<\/p>\n

Controversy followed the match statistics, with Nigeria committing 29 fouls compared to Morocco\u2019s 19. <\/p>\n

Journalists and Fans React on Social Media<\/p>\n

Nigerian journalist Pooja Media described the refereeing performance as a \u201cdirty job,\u201d posting on X:
\u201cThis is too obvious from the ref. Our boys need to be calm. Dirty job is being done here.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Another media personality, @_AsiwajuLerry, wrote, \u201cNigeria\u00a0will play against the AFCON host country in a stadium where they\u2019ve bought all the tickets, with a referee from Ghana and a VAR from South Africa.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Samuel Akpan (@coolestguy2891) also raised concerns, referencing Laryea\u2019s previous appointments, \u201cDaniel Laryea was in charge of Burkina Faso vs Algeria. He denied Burkina Faso a penalty in that game, and the captain was fined $10,000 for protesting.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Morocco vs Cameroon, he was in charge of VAR and didn\u2019t call the referee to check the Mbeumo penalty call. Nigeria is in for it.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Do2dtun Energy gAD added his voice to the criticism. \u201cThis Ghanaian referee is very biased. Too obvious. It\u2019s so disgusting to watch.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

What Next for Nigeria<\/p>\n

The defeat means Nigeria will now travel to Casablanca to face the Pharaohs of Egypt in the third-place match this Saturday.<\/p>\n

Anthony Nlebem<\/a> <\/p>\n

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA\/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content. <\/p>\n

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