Nigerians react to Daniel Laryea’s semi-final appointment

The Confederation of African Football’s decision to appoint Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea for Nigeria’s AFCON semi-final against hosts Morocco has triggered a wave of reactions among Nigerian fans on social media.

The match will be played on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium, with assistant officials from South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Rwanda.

While some supporters acknowledged Laryea’s experience at continental level, many others voiced unease because of Nigeria’s long-standing football rivalry with Ghana and the broader sensitivities around officiating in high-stakes matches.

Online discussions quickly mixed concern with humour, turning the appointment into a trending topic.

CAF appoints Ghanaian referee for AFCON semi-final between Morocco and Nigeria

Several fans jokingly suggested that Ghana now had an indirect say in who reaches the final, using the familiar Ghana-Nigeria jollof rivalry as a playful way to express their nerves.

Others went further, implying that having a Ghanaian in charge of such a crucial match felt like allowing a rival supporter to officiate a derby, reflecting fears about possible bias, even if said mostly in jest.

This will be Laryea’s second game of the tournament, highlighting his growing reputation on the continental stage.

Laryea’s first outing at AFCON 2025 came during the group stages, where he oversaw Burkina Faso’s 1-0 loss to Algeria in Group E back in December 2025.

Read some of the reactions below:

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