A video of Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayii Laryea warming up on the pitch just before the crucial Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match between Nigeria and Morocco has ignited a firestorm of reactions online. The clip, shared by Ghanaian sports journalist Owuraku Ampofo, emerged in the wake of Nigeria's painful exit from the tournament on January 16, 2026.
Viral Clip Shows Referee in Pre-Game Ritual
Owuraku Ampofo posted the short video on his Facebook page, captioning it, "Ghana referee ?? Daniel Laryea warming for the big game between Nigeria and Morocco." The footage captured Laryea and his officiating team, dressed in dark green tops and black pants, going through physical exercises on the field at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, prior to kick-off.
The match itself ended in a goalless draw after 120 minutes of play, forcing a penalty shootout. The host nation, Morocco, eventually triumphed 4-2 on penalties, dashing Nigeria's hopes of advancing to the AFCON final. Following the match, referee Laryea faced severe criticism from many Nigerian fans and pundits for several of his decisions during the game.
Mixed Reactions Trail the Viral Video
The posting of the warm-up video after Nigeria's defeat drew a flood of comments, with many linking the referee's physical preparation to his controversial performance. The reactions, compiled by Legit.ng, ranged from outright criticism to sarcastic praise and conspiracy theories.
Some social media users expressed their frustration with the officiating. Solomon De King commented, "Moomoo ref. Giving Bassey that baseless yellow card, summarizes his ineptitude," referencing the first-half booking of Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey. Another user, Ken Buka Slyvanus, simply exclaimed, "African nawa oo," a common Nigerian expression of dismay.
Others viewed the referee's active warm-up differently. Derek Zams Adzoe noted, "Refs are just like players. They need the same energy and stamina in a game." Obenfo Asamoah Anim Godson added a pointed comparison: "He is more active and prepared for the game then most of the Nigerian players.???"
However, a significant number of reactions implied bias or premeditation. Chioma Olanna wrote, "Warming up to deal with my Naija, ewooooo. Ghana pleaseeeeeeeeee," suggesting the referee was preparing to act against Nigeria. Anthony Isaac listed several factors he believed were "against Nigeria," including "1. The referee being a Ghanaian."
Referee's Response to the Backlash
In a related development, Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea was confronted about the Nigerian public's unhappiness with his officiating. Nigerian football pundit Klinton Cod met Laryea on the streets of Rabat and asked for his reaction to the criticism.
According to reports, Laryea, who appeared to be in a bright mood, took the complaints in stride. He stated that it was acceptable for people to be upset with his decisions, acknowledging that dealing with such reactions is an inherent part of a referee's job. This encounter occurred after he had faced intense backlash, particularly for the yellow card shown to Calvin Bassey.
The controversy was further fueled by a separate report from an individual who claimed to have known Daniel Laryea since 2008, offering insights into the referee's personality, though the details of those insights were not specified in the original report.
The incident highlights the intense scrutiny and emotional investment surrounding high-stakes football matches in Africa, where officiating decisions are often dissected and debated long after the final whistle.
