By Ben Efe 18.1.2026
Ghanaian football fans were at the Kotoka International Airport Accra on Sunday to welcome Africa Cup of Nations underperforming referee Daniel Nii Laryea.
Nigerian football fans made him a villain because of his performances during the AFCON semi-final between the Super Eagles and the Atlas Lions. Though his seemingly biased officiating didn’t affect the result of the match, which ended in 4-2 shootout win for Morocco, Nigeria fans believe Nii Laryea was out to intimidate their team.
As for Ghanaian fans based largely to unending beefing between citizens of the two West African “brother nations,” Nii Laryea was the best referee at the AFCON, despite video evidence of his shaky performances. They welcomed him with a bouquet of flowers at the airport, where he spoke of his experiences at the AFCON.
“Normally in tournaments, semi-finals are the toughest games because now people want to go for finals.
“Whatever work they put into coming to that time, this is their stage when going to the final. AFCON is the biggest stage in Africa, and it is the third-ranked tournament in the world. We have the World Cup, the Euros, and we have the AFCON.
“This is what we have in Africa. So, as a referee, if you are given that stage, it’s a big, big opportunity for you.”
He said he’s been to three AFCON to officiate, but the Nigeria v Morocco was his first semi-final, and he was a bit anxious.
“That was my first time doing a semi-final in AFCON. I’ve been to three AFCONs; this is the first time I’m doing a semi-final. So, when coaches appoint you to do that game, they know the qualities and what you can do.
“But, of course, you have a bit of anxiety because of the level.”
Some of his controversial whistling include giving Calvin Bassey a yellow card, when it was Bassey that was fouled by Brahim Diaz, stopping the flow of the player whenever the Super Eagles won the ball fair and square from the Moroccans on several occasion.
“For me, I just do my refereeing. I just play football. I don’t listen to what goes on in or out of social media,” Nii Laryea submitted.
But no doubt his performance will remain a stain on his reputation as international referee no matter how hard Ghanaian football fans try to prop up his image.
Photo: Yen News