I never cheated Nigeria against Morocco - Ghana's star referee Daniel Laryea

Top Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has firmly dismissed allegations that he favoured hosts Morocco during their AFCON 2025 semi-final victory over Nigeria, insisting he carried out his duties with professionalism and strict adherence to the laws of the game.

The experienced official has come under heavy criticism from sections of Nigerian fans following the Super Eagles’ defeat, with accusations circulating on social media that his decisions influenced the outcome of the high-stakes encounter.

However, Laryea,  a proud product of Accra Academy, was unequivocal in his response, rejecting claims of bias and emphasising his commitment to fair officiating.

Speaking to the media upon his return from Morocco, Laryea revealed that he paid little attention to online backlash or rivalry-driven narratives surrounding the fixture.

“For me, I just do my refereeing. I just do football,” he stated. “I don’t listen to what goes in and out of social media or whatever is happening there. We just apply the Laws of the Game.”

Laryea also described the match as the biggest assignment of his refereeing career, disclosing that it was his first time officiating a semi-final at the Africa Cup of Nations — a milestone moment in his journey as an elite referee.

“As a referee, when you are given such a stage, it is a big opportunity,” he explained. “When I was appointed for the game, I felt normal, but there was a bit of anxiety because it was my first AFCON semi-final.”

Acknowledging the pressure that comes with officiating at the business end of a major international tournament, Laryea noted that matches at that level demand maximum concentration, composure and courage.

“Semi-final matches are always the toughest because teams are fighting for a place in the final,” he added. “Any team that reaches that stage has already achieved something significant.”

Despite the criticism, Laryea’s performance was seen as a major vote of confidence in Ghanaian officiating, underlining the country’s growing reputation for producing referees capable of handling Africa’s biggest football occasions.

Top Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has firmly dismissed allegations that he favoured hosts Morocco during their AFCON 2025 semi-final victory over Nigeria, insisting he carried out his duties with professionalism and strict adherence to the laws of the game.

The experienced official has come under heavy criticism from sections of Nigerian fans following the Super Eagles’ defeat, with accusations circulating on social media that his decisions influenced the outcome of the high-stakes encounter.

However, Laryea,  a proud product of Accra Academy, was unequivocal in his response, rejecting claims of bias and emphasising his commitment to fair officiating.

Speaking to the media upon his return from Morocco, Laryea revealed that he paid little attention to online backlash or rivalry-driven narratives surrounding the fixture.

“For me, I just do my refereeing. I just do football,” he stated. “I don’t listen to what goes in and out of social media or whatever is happening there. We just apply the Laws of the Game.”

Laryea also described the match as the biggest assignment of his refereeing career, disclosing that it was his first time officiating a semi-final at the Africa Cup of Nations — a milestone moment in his journey as an elite referee.

“As a referee, when you are given such a stage, it is a big opportunity,” he explained. “When I was appointed for the game, I felt normal, but there was a bit of anxiety because it was my first AFCON semi-final.”

Acknowledging the pressure that comes with officiating at the business end of a major international tournament, Laryea noted that matches at that level demand maximum concentration, composure and courage.

“Semi-final matches are always the toughest because teams are fighting for a place in the final,” he added. “Any team that reaches that stage has already achieved something significant.”

Despite the criticism, Laryea’s performance was seen as a major vote of confidence in Ghanaian officiating, underlining the country’s growing reputation for producing referees capable of handling Africa’s biggest football occasions.

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