AFCON 2025: Daniel Laryea Appointed to Officiate Morocco-Nigeria Showdown
Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has been handed one of the biggest assignments of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, taking charge as centre referee for Wednesday night’s semi-final clash between Nigeria and hosts Morocco in Rabat.
The high-stakes encounter will be staged at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium, where tensions are expected to run high as two continental heavyweights battle for a place in the final.
Laryea arrives at the fixture with strong credentials from the ongoing tournament. He previously served as the Video Assistant Referee during Morocco’s dramatic quarter-final victory over Cameroon, a match that required calm judgment and precision in several key moments. Earlier in the competition, he also impressed as the man in the middle during the group-stage meeting between Algeria and Burkina Faso.
At 39, Laryea has built a reputation as one of Africa’s most dependable match officials. His experience spans multiple AFCON tournaments, as well as high-profile CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup fixtures, where he is widely respected for his composure, consistency and control of emotionally charged games.
The semi-final itself is expected to be intense. Morocco will draw energy from a fervent home crowd as they chase a historic run, while Nigeria, three-time African champions, will look to assert their pedigree and march back into a continental final.
With so much at stake and every decision likely to be scrutinised, Laryea’s appointment underlines CAF’s trust in his ability to manage pressure and maintain fairness. As the spotlight falls on Rabat, the Ghanaian official is set to play a decisive role in one of the tournament’s defining nights.
