The aftermath of Nigeria's heartbreaking exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has taken a controversial turn, with discussions shifting from missed penalties to the performance of the match official. A Nigerian lady's social media claim that the Ghanaian referee attempted to "save" the Super Eagles has ignited a fresh wave of debate among football fans.
Controversial Claim: Referee's Alleged Favor Towards Nigeria
Following the semi-final clash on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, where Nigeria lost 4-2 to Morocco on penalties after a tense 0-0 draw in extra time, a user on X (formerly Twitter) named Tina (@Tina_RM5) shared a surprising perspective. Contrary to complaints from some Nigerian supporters about the officiating, Tina praised Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea, asserting he performed well and showed favor to the Nigerian side.
In her post, she stated, "This Ghanaian referee wanted to save Nigeria, but they didn't take the opportunity, very good at what he does. Well done, Mr. Daniel Nii Laryea." To support her claim, she attached a video clip from the match with the caption highlighting "Two clear penalties" that she implied were not awarded against Nigeria.
Mixed Reactions from Football Fans
The post sparked immediate and divided reactions from the online community. Some users agreed with the assessment, while others strongly criticized both the referee and the original poster.
Key reactions included:
- User @invertCucurella pointed out the irony: "But Nigeria are complaining."
- @EscobarUTD10 expressed disbelief in the claim.
- A particularly strong critique came from @amaech10055, who accused the referee of corruption and suggested the match was set back 50 years, calling for FIFA to review the game and sanction the official.
- Others, like @chubbyransom10, simply dismissed the post as "rubbish."
Broader Criticism of the Officiating
The lady's view stands in stark contrast to other opinions, including that of a fellow Ghanaian. As previously reported, a Ghanaian journalist and blogger named Bongo Ideas heavily criticized his countryman's performance. He suggested the referee "felt like he was told what to do" before the match and highlighted four specific areas where he performed poorly, expressing disappointment that the official had let Ghana down with his conduct.
The match itself saw Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi miss their crucial spot-kicks in the penalty shootout, sending Morocco through to the final and ending Nigeria's tournament dreams in the semi-final stage for the second consecutive time.
This incident underscores the intense scrutiny and passionate debates that surround high-stakes AFCON matches, where every decision on and off the pitch is analyzed and often becomes a national talking point.
