The Confederation of African Football has named Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea as the man in the middle for one of the most anticipated fixtures of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the semi-final clash between Nigeria and host nation Morocco.
At 39, Laryea is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most dependable officials, trusted with high-pressure matches across the continent and beyond. His appointment underlines CAF’s desire for experience, authority, and calm judgement as two African heavyweights battle for a place in the AFCON final.
This Nigeria versus Morocco encounter is not just a football match. It is a collision of ambition, history, and continental pride, and the referee selected to oversee it carries immense responsibility.
CAF’s Full Officiating Team for Nigeria vs Morocco
Daniel Nii Laryea will be supported by a strong multinational officiating crew. South Africa’s Zakhele Thusi Siwela will serve as Assistant Referee One, while Souru Phatsoane of Lesotho takes on Assistant Referee Two duties. Mozambique’s Arsenio Chadreque Maringule completes the assistant lineup as the third official.
Rwanda’s Samuel Uwikunda has been appointed fourth official, responsible for managing technical areas and substitutions, a role that often proves critical in emotionally charged matches.
The Video Assistant Referee unit will be led by South African official Abongile Tom. He will be assisted by Haythem Guirat and Stephen Onyango Yiembe, with Lidya Tafesse Abebe serving as referee assessor to evaluate performance and decision-making throughout the match.
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Laryea’s AFCON 2025 Journey So Far
This semi-final will be Daniel Nii Laryea’s second match at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He previously officiated the group stage encounter between Algeria and Burkina Faso, a contest that tested his game management skills and earned positive reviews.
Interestingly, Laryea also led the VAR team during the quarter-final clash between Morocco and Cameroon, giving him recent familiarity with the host nation’s playing style and tactical approach. That experience adds another layer of intrigue to his appointment for this decisive fixture.
Who Is Daniel Nii Laryea
Born on 11 September 1987 in Accra, Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea’s journey into football officiating is rooted in personal experience with the game. He attended Accra Academy, where he played football and eventually became the school’s goalkeeper, a background that shaped his understanding of match dynamics and player psychology.
Away from the pitch, Laryea is equally accomplished academically. 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. This balance of intellect and athletic insight has been a hallmark of his refereeing career.
He began officiating professionally at just 17 years old in Ghana’s lower division league in 2005. By 2012, at age 24, he refereed his first Ghana Premier League match between Medeama and Berekum Chelsea. Two years later, his rise was confirmed when he became a FIFA-listed international referee in 2014.
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A Career Built on Big Matches
Over the years, Laryea has officiated some of Africa’s most demanding competitions. His résumé includes the 2017 CAF Under-17 Cup of Nations in Gabon, the 2018 WAFU Cup of Nations in Ghana, the 2018 African Nations Championship hosted by Morocco, and the 2020 CHAN tournament in Cameroon.
He was also selected for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon and officiated the Ghana FA Cup final between Hearts of Oak and Ashanti Gold, one of the most intense fixtures in Ghanaian football. Domestically, he handled the high-profile Hearts of Oak versus Asante Kotoko opener during the 2020-21 season.
On the continental women’s stage, Laryea officiated at the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco and served as Assistant VAR during the final. He was also part of the officiating team for the rescheduled 2022 African Nations Championship in Algeria, including duties in the opening match between Algeria and Libya.
Discipline and Match Control
Statistically, Laryea is known for firm but balanced control. Across eight Africa World Cup qualifiers, he has issued 29 yellow cards. In three AFCON matches, he showed 10 yellow cards, while AFCON qualifiers under his watch produced 22 yellow cards across eight matches.
In the CAF Champions League, he has officiated 13 matches, issuing 44 yellow cards and two red cards, figures that reflect both his consistency and willingness to enforce discipline when necessary.
History with Nigeria and Morocco
Daniel Nii Laryea has never officiated a Super Eagles match at the senior international level. However, Nigerian fans may remember him from October 10, 2022, when he refereed the CAF Champions League fixture between Plateau United and Esperance of Tunisia at the Abuja National Stadium. Plateau United won that match 2-1, earning praise for Laryea’s handling of a tense contest.
He has also officiated Morocco before, notably during a World Cup qualifier in Group E when Congo hosted the Atlas Lions at the Annexe du Grand Stade de Marrakech. Morocco dominated that match, securing a commanding 6-0 victory.
All Eyes on the Man in the Middle
As Africa waits to discover the second finalist of AFCON 2025, attention will not rest solely on the flair of Nigeria’s attacking stars or the technical elegance of Morocco’s hosts. Much of the spotlight will also fall on the man in the middle.
For Daniel Nii Laryea, this semi-final represents another defining chapter in a career built on trust, preparation, and composure. Tasked with maintaining fairness between his West African brothers and a passionate host nation, he carries the weight of the continent’s expectations.
On a night where every whistle could shape history, CAF has handed one of its most demanding assignments to a referee they clearly believe is ready.
