"I Was Anxious" – Ghanaian Referee Daniel Laryea Opens Up on Pressure of Officiating Tense Morocco vs Nigeria AFCON 2025 Semi-Final

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 international referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea has revealed he felt anxious before taking charge of the highly charged 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final between hosts Morocco and Nigeria.

Laryea, who spoke to reporters upon his arrival at Accra Airport following the match, described the encounter as the toughest of his career so far. The game, played on January 14, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, ended in a tense 0-0 draw after 120 minutes before Morocco advanced to the final with a 4-2 victory on penalties.

The Atlas Lions will now face Senegal in the final on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

Reflecting on the magnitude of the assignment, Laryea said: “I’ve been to three AFCON tournaments, but this is the first time I’ve been in a semi-final. So when coaches [CAF] choose you for that game, they know your skills and what you can do. But of course, you feel a little anxious because of the level of the match.”

The fixture drew significant attention and controversy, particularly among Nigerian supporters, due to the longstanding football rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria, and several on-field decisions—including a yellow card to Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey that ruled him out of subsequent games. Nigerian players and fans criticized aspects of the officiating, with some labeling it biased toward the hosts.

However, Laryea firmly dismissed any suggestions of favoritism, emphasizing his commitment to impartiality. He stated that he focused solely on his duties and does not engage with social media commentary.

“This is what we have in Africa,” he added, comparing the prestige of AFCON to major global tournaments like the World Cup and Euros. “As a referee, if you are given that stage, it’s a big, big opportunity for you.”

Despite the backlash, Laryea expressed pride in being selected for such a high-profile game, viewing it as recognition of his abilities by CAF officials.

The referee's candid admission highlights the immense pressure officials face in knockout stages of major tournaments, especially in emotionally charged matches involving passionate rivalries and home advantage.

Laryea, a FIFA-listed referee since 2014, has built a solid reputation across multiple continental competitions. His handling of the semi-final, while debated, underscores the challenges of maintaining composure at the highest level of African football.

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