Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea has reacted to the intense criticism that followed his officiating of the AFCON 2025 semifinal between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and hosts Morocco’s Atlas Lions.
The keenly contested encounter ended goalless after 120 minutes of regulation and extra time, before Morocco edged Nigeria 4–2 in a penalty shootout to book a place in the final.
Laryea’s performance sparked widespread backlash from Nigerian fans, particularly on social media, where he was accused of biased and poor officiating. The criticism reportedly escalated to the mass-reporting of his Instagram account, which was temporarily taken down.
In a video that has since gone viral, Laryea was unexpectedly approached on the streets of Morocco shortly after the match by a Nigerian football enthusiast identified as Klintcod, a pundit and TV presenter. When informed that many Nigerians were unhappy with his handling of the game, the Ghanaian referee responded calmly and with a smile.
“It’s okay… it’s football,” Laryea said.
His brief but composed response has generated fresh reactions online, with some praising his calmness under pressure, while others remain critical of his officiating decisions. For Laryea, however, the incident appears to be treated as part of the realities that come with the game.
The AFCON semifinal remains one of the tournament’s most talked-about fixtures, not only for its drama on the pitch, but also for the controversy that followed the final whistle.
