A Ghanaian journalist has launched a scathing critique of his countryman, referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea, following his controversial handling of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 semi-final clash between Nigeria's Super Eagles and Morocco.
Four Key Failures Highlighted by Journalist
The journalist, who uses the Facebook name Bongo Ideas, did not hold back in his assessment after Morocco defeated Nigeria 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a goalless extra time. In a detailed Facebook post, he pinpointed four major areas where the referee performed poorly.
According to his analysis, referee Laryea awarded cheap fouls to the Moroccan team throughout the match. He also claimed the official issued unnecessary yellow cards to Nigerian players while failing to book any Moroccan players for similar offences.
The fourth critical failure, as stated by the journalist, was that the referee did not allow the game to flow freely, constantly interrupting play. He gave the referee a rating of just four out of ten.
Allegations of Bias and Pre-Match Instructions
The journalist's criticism went beyond mere poor performance. He made the serious allegation that the entire tournament appears rigged for host nations to win. He expressed a strong personal disappointment, stating that as a fellow Ghanaian and Ga man, he felt compelled to speak the truth.
"That performance from Daniel Laryea felt and looked like he was told what to do on the field before he stepped out. He let Ghana down!" the journalist wrote, suggesting the referee may have been under external pressure or instruction.
Mixed Reactions from Football Fans
The journalist's post sparked a wave of reactions from fans across social media platforms. The responses revealed a divided opinion on the referee's impact on the game's outcome.
Some users agreed with the assessment of bias. One commenter, Omar Jamie Heckington, noted the referee's apparent confusion at a key moment, unsure whether to award Nigeria a corner or Morocco a foul, with the decision ultimately resulting in a goal kick for Morocco.
However, others defended the referee's performance. A user named Khobby Rich Way argued the referee was "100 percent" and "too good," suggesting that Nigeria's missed chances, not the officiating, cost them the match.
Another perspective came from Gold Franklin Peters, who, while acknowledging possible Confederation of African Football (CAF) influence, stated that the host nation deserved to reach the final due to its massive investment in infrastructure.
The loss means Nigeria will now face Egypt in the third-place playoff match. Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle admitted in his post-match conference that the team did not perform at their best level during the crucial semi-final encounter.
