Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and defender Bright Osayi-Samuel have criticised the officiating following Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinal defeat to host nation Morocco.
Nigeria were eliminated on Wednesday night after losing 4–2 on penalties, following a goalless draw at the end of regulation time and extra time. However, the match was overshadowed by controversy over several refereeing decisions, with Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea coming under heavy criticism from Nigerian players and supporters.
Osimhen described the officiating as “nothing to write home about,” while Osayi-Samuel labelled it “appalling,” as frustration mounted over calls perceived to have favoured the hosts.
One of the most contentious moments occurred when defender Calvin Bassey was booked in an incident involving Moroccan player Diaz. Television replays suggested there was minimal contact, with Diaz appearing to exaggerate the challenge after pulling Bassey’s shirt. Many observers felt the Moroccan player should have been cautioned for simulation instead.
Nigeria’s frustrations were further compounded when Akor Adams was penalised for a foul despite appearing to be clearly held by an opponent, while Moses Simon was left baffled after a clear corner kick was awarded as a goal kick.
Although none of the decisions directly decided the match, the Super Eagles struggled to impose themselves, with the cumulative effect of the calls disrupting their rhythm and momentum.
Reacting after the match, Osimhen said the team was deeply disappointed by the standard of officiating.
“To be honest, today’s game was nothing to write home about in terms of the officiating. It was that bad,” he said. “We are professionals, but it hurts because now we have to wait again for another opportunity to prove ourselves.”
Osayi-Samuel was even more direct in his assessment.
“The referee was appalling,” he said. “I’m not saying that’s why we lost, but he was making very wrong decisions, and it’s painful to see that in a game of this magnitude.”
Concerns over officiating have followed the tournament, with persistent claims from fans and analysts that Morocco benefited from contentious decisions in earlier rounds. The debate became so intense that Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, was compelled to publicly dismiss allegations of bias.
Former Super Eagles striker Victor Anichebe also expressed his frustration on social media, criticising the standard of refereeing at the tournament while congratulating Morocco on their progress and praising Nigeria’s players for their effort.
Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala joined the debate, questioning the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) perceived preference for Morocco, citing the frequency with which major African football events are hosted in the country.
Following the match, referee Laryea became the target of online abuse from angry fans. His Instagram account was taken down shortly after the game, while his Twitter account was inundated with criticism.
Despite the controversy, Morocco edged the contest and denied Nigeria a place in the final, with both teams cancelling each other out for 120 minutes without a goal.
Osimhen acknowledged the quality of the opposition and praised his teammates for their resilience.
“It was one of the most difficult matches we’ve played at this AFCON,” he said. “To take a team like Morocco to penalties shows our strength as a group. Penalties are about luck, and football happens.”
He also congratulated the hosts on their victory, while expressing disappointment at Nigeria’s exit.
“I congratulate the Moroccans. I’m proud of my team and the fight we showed in front of their fans. We believed we could win this trophy, so it hurts, but we move forward.”
Nigeria will now regroup ahead of the third-place playoff against Egypt on Saturday, while Morocco face Senegal in Sunday’s final as they chase their first AFCON title since 1976.
