Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea\u2019s performance during Morocco\u2019s win over Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has sparked heated debate online.<\/p>\n
After the game, fans criticised Laryea for what they described as biased and poor officiating during the Super Eagles\u2019 semi-final defeat to Morocco on January 14, 2026. <\/p>\n
Nigeria eventually lost 4\u20132 on penalties after Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi\u2019s spot-kicks were saved by Yassine Bounou, following a goalless draw after extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.<\/p>\n
From Meme to Mastermind: \u00c9ric Chelle\u2019s redemption with Nigeria at AFCON 2025 <\/a><\/p>\n The Eagles committed 29 fouls compared to Morocco\u2019s 19, yet received two yellow cards while the hosts were not cautioned once, prompting accusations of one-sided officiating.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Read the comments below:<\/b><\/p>\n I\u2019m surprised by the reaction to the Daniel Laryea situation. Nigeria didn\u2019t lose because of bad refereeing. They lost because they couldn\u2019t create any real chances in open play and blew their advantage in the shootout. Pretty simple.<\/p>\n \u2014 Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n He was decent. He wasn\u2019t terrible. He wasn\u2019t the reason they lost. Nobody is going to turn this on Daniel Laryea. https:\/\/t.co\/NLXGt4ew8s<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udded 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.<\/p>\n Kudos to Morocco and Senegal on reaching\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/pvwKutuyie<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Patrick Yaw Boamah (@pyboamah) January 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ghana twitter was on VAR duty for referee Daniel Laryea tonight. @SaddickAdams<\/a> led the charge, reviewing decisions with one screen and parrying Naija low-blow comments with another. <\/p>\n Solidarity. https:\/\/t.co\/foufGnTGP7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Samuel Bartels (@sammybartels) January 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Nigeria made the whole fixture against Morocco a Ghana feud\u2014an unfair fixture even before the ball was kicked.<\/p>\n Making the whole game about Daniel Laryea shifted focus<\/p>\n Nigeria averaged 5 big chances per game yet made zero(0) big chances v Morocco<\/p>\n Now leave the referee alone! pic.twitter.com\/HuFdLc0d6Q<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Yaw Ampofo Jr (@Yaw_Ampofo_) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Ref had a great game and it’s normal with Nigerians to look for who to blame when things go down south…<\/p>\n \u2014 ffaroukk (@ffaroukk68) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n You dey mind them sef \ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02 \u2014 Eddy Kay (@Benny07Kay) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Laryea was brought in under strange circumstances after Morocco complained about the passports of the designated referees. NOT their body of work. \u2014 Victor (@AtsuTamakloe) January 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Probably you are a clout chaser and want engagements. Some of you will stoop so low for a temporary, empty fame.<\/p>\n \u2014 Jean Naa Aryeley Aryee (@naa_Genie) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n 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\u2019s a country man who wants to tear down a fellow brother. Shame on you.<\/p>\n \u2014 Jean Naa Aryeley Aryee (@naa_Genie) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n SB\/EB<\/p>\n ‘To hell with them’ \u2013 Professor Frimpong Boateng fires back at NPP<\/b><\/p>\n\n
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\nSore losers!<\/p>\n\n
\nThen he made 3 high profile mistakes, 2 of which favor Morocco.
\nThen he gets rewarded with a semi final?
\nHow often do you see that? https:\/\/t.co\/k4YmslYJeX<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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