A Nigerian football enthusiast has sparked conversation online by publicly commending the performance of the Ghanaian referee who officiated the tense Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 semi-final clash between Nigeria's Super Eagles and Morocco's Atlas Lions.
Referee's Performance Under the Microscope
The high-stakes match, played on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, ended in heartbreak for Nigeria after a 4-2 penalty shootout defeat following a grueling 120 minutes of goalless football. Missed spot-kicks by Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi sealed Morocco's passage to the final.
In the aftermath, while many fans directed frustration at various aspects of the game, a Nigerian man identified as Gaxboy on Facebook offered a different perspective focused on referee Daniel Nii Laryea from Ghana.
Two Reasons for Commendation
In a detailed Facebook post, Gaxboy presented two central arguments for praising the official's work. Firstly, he asserted that Laryea performed his role rightly well and that his handling of the game was not subpar.
Secondly, and more significantly, he addressed the accusations of bias from some Nigerian supporters. Gaxboy argued that the perceived partiality was a misconception born out of the intense pressure the Super Eagles faced during the match. He urged fans to call a spade a spade and not attribute the referee's decisions to jealousy from Ghana.
"Frankly saying he played his role rightly well and his performance wasn't too bad," Gaxboy wrote. "Just because the pressure was more on the Super Eagles, we shouldn't see it as if he was being partial."
A Call for Team Reflection
Beyond the referee analysis, the fan's post served as a critique of the Nigerian team's overall display. He shifted the focus from officiating to what he believes is the core issue: the need for improved squad cohesion.
"The Super Eagles need to work on their performance as a team; Individually our players are good, but not as a squad," he stated, concluding with a message of hope for better preparation in the future and an affirmation of brotherly love despite the painful loss.
Mixed Reactions from the Public
The post attracted a variety of responses from other social media users, highlighting the divisive nature of post-match analysis. Some commenters engaged with the tactical points, noting Morocco's effective strategy in neutralizing attackers like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, and questioning certain yellow card decisions.
Others expressed strong disagreement with the positive assessment of the referee. One user, @MI Alhaji, commented vehemently, "In my Life I have never hate anybody but u see this referee I swear i hate him..." showcasing the raw emotion the defeat elicited.
This incident follows another reported perspective from a Nigerian lady who claimed the Ghanaian referee had attempted to "save" the Super Eagles at points during the match, indicating a spectrum of opinions on the officiating.
The discussion underscores a recurring theme in football fandom: the search for reasons behind a defeat, often split between external factors like refereeing and internal factors like team performance.
