AFCON 2025: Meet Daniel Laryea, FIFA Referee Set to Officiate Nigeria vs Morocco Semi-Final
Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea, appointed on Tuesday by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to officiate the second semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), will take charge of the high-profile clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and tournament hosts, the Atlas Lions of Morocco, scheduled for 9 p.m. on Wednesday. PulseNets learnt that the Ghanaian official has been a FIFA-listed international referee since 2014.
Born on September 11, 1987, in Accra, Ghana, Laryea is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Accra Academy, where he completed his secondary education. Information obtained by PulseNets shows that he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Ghana Business School, in addition to a degree in Physical Education from the University of Education, Winneba.
PulseNets gathered that Laryea began his refereeing journey at the age of 17 in 2005, officiating matches in Ghana’s lower division leagues. By 2012, at the age of 24, he handled his first Ghana Premier League fixture, a progression that culminated in his elevation to the FIFA international referees list two years later.
Over the years, Laryea has been trusted with several major continental assignments. PulseNets learnt that he was among the referees selected for the delayed 2020 African Nations Championship and the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, both staged in Cameroon. He also officiated at the 2018 CHAN in Morocco and the 2017 CAF Under-17 Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Further checks by PulseNets revealed that his résumé includes officiating at the 2018 West African Football Union (WAFU) tournament in Ghana and the 2021 Ghana FA Cup final between Hearts of Oak and Ashanti Gold. He also served as Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR) for the opening match between Algeria and Libya at the rescheduled 2022 African Nations Championship in Algeria.
Laryea’s experience extends to women’s football as well. PulseNets reported that he officiated matches at the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco and later served as Assistant Video Assistant Referee for the final of the same competition.
At the ongoing 2025 AFCON in Morocco, Laryea has already taken charge of the Group E encounter between Burkina Faso’s Stallions and Algeria’s Desert Foxes. PulseNets learnt that the match later attracted disciplinary attention after CAF fined Burkina Faso captain and former Chelsea winger, Bertrand Traore, $10,000. The sanction followed Traore’s appearance before a disciplinary committee over post-match comments deemed offensive and contrary to the standards expected of a national team captain at a major continental tournament.
Also Read: AFCON 2025: Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ Triumphs and Heartbreaks in Africa Cup of Nations Semi-Finals
PulseNets also gathered that Laryea’s reputation for integrity and consistency accelerated his rise to the top of Ghanaian refereeing. This credibility saw him step into the spotlight following the lifetime ban handed to compatriot Joseph Lamptey by FIFA for manipulating a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Senegal.
