“AFCON 2025: Nigerian Fans Outraged Over Ref Laryea’s Officiating in Semi-Final Loss”

Nigerian football supporters have expressed outrage over the performance of Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea during the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 semi-final against Morocco. The match ended in a goalless draw, with Nigeria losing 4–2 in a penalty shootout.

Fans argued that Laryea’s decisions were inconsistent, pointing to multiple yellow cards against Nigerian players while Moroccan players appeared to escape similar sanctions. The officiating sparked intense debate on social media and at viewing centres, with many describing it as biased and unfair.

Some players and sports commentators also criticised the referee’s handling of key moments in extra time, though they emphasized that Nigeria’s defeat was not solely due to officiating errors.

As the Super Eagles prepare for their third-place playoff, discussions around refereeing standards have become a major talking point among Nigerian football fans, highlighting concerns about fairness in continental tournaments.