Ghanaian Referee Daniel Nii Laryea’s Instagram Taken Down After Super Eagles’ AFCON Semi-Final Controversy
The Instagram account of Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has reportedly been taken offline following intense backlash from Nigerian fans after the Super Eagles’ 4-2 penalty shootout loss to Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final. Laryea officiated the tense encounter, which ended 0-0 after extra time before Morocco advanced to the final. Even before the match, some Nigerian supporters had expressed concerns over his appointment due to the historic football rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana. Those worries intensified during the game as several decisions went against the Super Eagles. A particularly controversial moment came when defender Calvin Bassey received a yellow card, resulting in a one-match suspension. Many fans felt the booking was harsh and unnecessary considering the importance of the fixture. After the final whistle, frustrated supporters reportedly tracked Laryea’s social media accounts and began mass-reporting them. As of the latest update, his Instagram page is no longer accessible. Nigerian defender Bright Osayi-Samuel expressed his frustration in the mixed zone: “The referee was appalling. I’m not saying that’s the reason why we lost but he was making very, very wrong decisions and it’s really painful to see that we have referees like that in a game like today.” Super Eagles striker Akor Adams also showed his displeasure, giving a brief but pointed response to reporters: “Make una go interview the referee,” he said while walking past the press. The controversy over Laryea’s officiating has continued online, with many Nigerian fans alleging bias in favour of the host nation. No official complaint has yet been filed, but the debate remains a major talking point in the aftermath of Nigeria’s semi-final exit.