The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea as the centre referee for the highly anticipated AFCON 2025 semi-final clash between Nigeria and hosts Morocco, scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 20:00 GMT (9:00 PM WAT) at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat.
The matchup pits Nigeria’s Super Eagles, three-time AFCON champions, against Morocco’s Atlas Lions, who are riding home advantage and momentum in search of an elusive AFCON trophy.
Laryea is a respected 39-year-old official with extensive experience in AFCON editions, CAF Champions League, and other high-profile continental fixtures, is known for his composure in tense matches. He previously served as VAR in Morocco’s quarter-final against Cameroon,
The full match officials include:
Referee: Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea (Ghana)
Assistant Referee 1: Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela (South Africa)
Assistant Referee 2: Souru Phatsoane (Lesotho)
Assistant Referee 3: Arsenio Chadreque Maringule (Mozambique)
Fourth Official: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)
VAR: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
Assistant VAR 1: Haythem Guirat (Tunisia)
Assistant VAR 2: Stephen Onyango Yiembe (Kenya)
Referee Assessor: Lidya Tafesse Abebe (Ethiopia)
This appointment comes amid some scrutiny of officiating at AFCON 2025, including CAF’s ongoing investigation into post-match incidents and alleged misconduct involving players and officials from the quarter-finals (including Algeria vs Nigeria and Cameroon vs Morocco)
The winner of Nigeria vs Morocco will advance to the final on January 18, 2026, also in Rabat, facing the victor of the other semi-final (Senegal vs Egypt).
