AFCON 2025: Referee for Nigeria vs Morocco semifinal revealed
The referee officiating the highly anticipated Nigeria vs Morocco semifinal fixture at AFCON 2025 has been revealed by CAF.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced that Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea will take charge of the highly anticipated AFCON 2025 semifinal clash, Nigeria vs Morocco.
The match, scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, is expected to be one of the tournament's most explosive fixtures. Laryea’s appointment comes as a vote of confidence from CAF, as he remains the only Ghanaian referee selected for this edition of the tournament.
This semifinal assignment marks Laryea’s second centre-refereeing role of the tournament, following his disciplined performance during the group-stage match between Algeria and Burkina Faso. He also recently served as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for Morocco’s 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Cameroon.
Laryea will be supported by a veteran crew of officials:
- Assistant Referees: Zakhele Siwela (South Africa) and Souru Phatsoane (Lesotho).
- Fourth Official: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda).
- Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Abongile Tom (South Africa).
Pressure Mounts in Rabat
The stakes could not be higher for both nations. Nigeria enters the tie after a clinical 2-0 victory over Algeria, while Morocco looks to capitalise on home-field advantage to reach their first final since 1976.
With refereeing standards under intense scrutiny throughout the knockout stages, all eyes will be on Laryea to maintain order in what is expected to be a cauldron of noise in the Moroccan capital.
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