Anger erupts nationwide as controversial calls by Daniel Laryea overshadow Nigeria’s penalty shootout defeat to hosts Morocco in Rabat

Nigerian football supporters have erupted in outrage following the Super Eagles’ dramatic exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), accusing Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea of biased and substandard officiating in Wednesday night’s semi-final clash against host nation Morocco.

The highly charged encounter at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat ended goalless after 120 minutes of tense and physical football. Morocco eventually triumphed 4–2 on penalties, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerging as the hero after saving spot-kicks from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi to send the Atlas Lions into the final.

However, the post-match narrative has been dominated less by Morocco’s qualification and more by the officiating, which many Nigerian fans insist tilted heavily in favour of the hosts. Match statistics further fuelled the controversy: Nigeria were penalised for 29 fouls compared to Morocco’s 19, yet the Super Eagles received two yellow cards while the host nation completed the entire match without a single booking.

Across viewing centres in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, emotions quickly shifted from optimism to anger as several key decisions went against the three-time African champions. Supporters pointed to what they described as blatant home advantage, worsened by the fact that the referee hailed from Ghana — a country with a long-standing football rivalry with Nigeria.

At a crowded viewing centre in Lagos, fan Olakunle Okunbanjo expressed his frustration. “Obviously, he’s been biased. We expected some home advantage, but this went beyond that. Too many wrong calls. And don’t forget he’s Ghanaian — with our rivalry, we expected this,” he said.

Another supporter, Bernard Daniel, also criticised the officiating, highlighting moments that left even commentators perplexed. “He made too many poor decisions against us, probably because Morocco are the hosts. Even in extra time, the commentators were confused, especially during the Victor Osimhen incident when a clear corner was waved off as a goal kick,” he noted.

Each controversial decision in Morocco’s favour was met with loud groans, shouts, and anger from fans, many of whom described the officiating as one of the most frustrating displays seen in recent AFCON tournaments.

As of Thursday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had yet to issue an official response. Nevertheless, the controversy has continued to trend on social media, with fans and analysts calling for improved transparency, accountability, and neutrality in officiating high-stakes continental matches.

Nigeria’s defeat brings an end to their quest for a fourth AFCON title, closing a tournament that raised hopes of glory but ultimately concluded in heartbreak — and a renewed debate over the influence of refereeing on African football’s biggest stage.

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