Ghanaian official Daniel Nii Laryea has been selected to take charge of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final between Nigeria and host nation Morocco.
The high-profile fixture will be played on Wednesday night at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat, with both sides competing for a place in the tournament final.
Laryea’s appointment reflects confidence in his pedigree and performance during the competition. The 39-year-old has been among the referees trusted with key assignments at the ongoing AFCON, drawing commendation for his calm handling of tense situations and sound application of the laws of the game.
During the quarter-final stage, he served as Video Assistant Referee in Morocco’s closely fought win over Cameroon, a match that attracted scrutiny and required careful officiating. He had earlier officiated the group-stage encounter between Algeria and Burkina Faso as centre referee, where he maintained firm control throughout the contest.
Considered one of Africa’s leading referees, Laryea has built a solid reputation through repeated AFCON appearances and regular involvement in CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup matches. His experience in managing high-stakes games has made him a familiar and respected figure on the continental stage.
The semi-final is expected to be keenly contested, with Morocco banking on home support as they push for continental glory, while Nigeria seek to extend their record as three-time African champions by returning to the final.
With qualification on the line, officiating is likely to attract close attention. Tournament officials will be relying on Laryea’s experience and authority to ensure a fair and orderly contest as African football turns its focus to Rabat.
