Nigerian football supporters have turned their frustration toward Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea after the Super Eagles’ painful semi-final exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against host nation Morocco.
The tightly contested encounter, played on Wednesday night in Rabat, ended goalless after extra time before Morocco triumphed 4–2 in a penalty shootout. Missed efforts from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi proved costly, as goalkeeper Yassine Bounou denied Nigeria a place in the final.
In the aftermath, attention quickly shifted from the result to the officiating. Many Nigerian fans expressed anger over what they felt were questionable refereeing decisions throughout the match. On social media, supporters accused Laryea of inconsistency and claimed the Super Eagles were treated harshly compared to their opponents.
Statistics from the game further fueled the backlash. Nigeria were whistled for 29 fouls, while Morocco committed 19, yet only the Super Eagles received disciplinary action, picking up two yellow cards. Morocco, despite repeated challenges, completed the match without a single booking — a detail that sparked widespread debate online.
Some fans suggested that Morocco’s home advantage influenced the officiating, while others controversially linked the referee’s nationality to perceived bias, referencing the historic rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana.
Criticism was not limited to fans alone. A number of sports commentators and media personalities also questioned the overall standard of refereeing, arguing that poor officiating decisions overshadowed what was otherwise a tense and tactical contest.
Unconfirmed reports later emerged claiming that angry supporters mass-reported the referee’s social media account, allegedly leading to its temporary suspension. However, no official confirmation was available at the time of writing.
As Nigeria’s AFCON journey comes to an end, debate continues to rage among supporters, with the referee’s performance remaining a central talking point and a source of lingering disappointment.
