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