DZWatch Exclusive: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea to officiate the highly anticipated semi-final match between Morocco and Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The decision has already sparked debate and controversy among fans and analysts.
Laryea’s appointment comes after he has already been a prominent figure throughout the tournament, raising eyebrows with the number of high-profile matches he has been assigned. He notably officiated all of the host nation’s group stage matches, a move that some observers have interpreted as a sign of favoritism within the CAF refereeing structure.
His involvement hasn’t been limited to the group stages. Laryea also took charge of Tanzania’s Round of 16 match, further solidifying his presence as a key official in the competition. He also served as a VAR official during the host nation’s match against Cameroon, a fact that has only added fuel to the fire of speculation.
The sheer frequency of Laryea’s appointments has led to widespread discussion regarding the criteria used by CAF to select referees for crucial matches. Questions are being raised about the reliance on certain individuals for sensitive encounters, and whether this approach is truly in the best interest of fair play.
While some argue that Laryea’s repeated selection is a testament to his competence, others believe that it places undue pressure on him, especially considering the high stakes involved in these matches. Regardless, Daniel Laryea has undeniably become one of the most talked-about referees of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, and his performance in the Morocco-Nigeria semi-final will be under intense scrutiny. The pressure is on.
