Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has dismissed criticisms surrounding his officiating in Nigeria’s semi-final defeat to Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria were knocked out on Wednesday night after losing on penalties to the Atlas Lions, following a goalless draw after 120 minutes.
Laryea came under intense scrutiny from Nigerian fans and pundits on social media, with many accusing him of bias in favor of Morocco. One of the most debated decisions was the yellow card shown to Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey, which ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament.
Super Eagles players Akor Adams and Bright Osayi-Samuel also openly criticized the referee’s performance after the match.
Reacting to the backlash, Laryea remained unfazed, insisting that criticism is part of the game. Speaking on Sporty TV, he said, “No, it’s okay. It’s football.”
