Referee Daniel Nii Laryea is regarded as one of the best referees Ghana has produced in recent times, gaining global attention after officiating Nigeria versus Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Although some football fans have expressed mixed reactions regarding his competency, he has established himself as one of the finest referees in Africa and on the global stage.
Daniel Laryea’s Instagram account banned
He holds 21 years of experience, having officiated high-profile matches in Ghana, Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions, as well as Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) tournaments.
Early Life and Education
Laryea was born on September 11, 1987 in Accra. He had his secondary education at Accra Academy, where he played football and later became the goalkeeper for the school’s football team.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Ghana Business School, and a degree in Physical Education from the University of Education, Winneba.
Career in Ghana
Laryea began as a professional referee in the Ghanaian lower division league at the age of 17 in 2005. In 2012, aged 24, he officiated his first Ghana Premier League match between Medeama and Berekum Chelsea. Two years later, he became a FIFA-listed referee.
He was appointed to officiate the 2021 FA Cup final between Hearts of Oak and Ashanti Gold. He also officiated the high-profile debut match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko in the 2020–21 season.
International Career
Following his FIFA enlistment, Laryea has officiated in several international football competitions, including:
The 2017 CAF U-17 Cup of Nations in Gabon
The 2018 WAFU Cup of Nations in Ghana
The 2018 CHAN hosted by Morocco
The 2020 CHAN tournament held in Cameroon
He also officiated during the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco, serving as the Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR) for the final.
On December 6, 2022, he was named among the officials for the rescheduled 2022 African Nations Championship in Algeria.
On January 13, 2023, he also served as the VAR official for the opening match between Algeria and Libya.
SB/JE
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