The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea as the match official for Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 semi-final between Nigeria and host nation Morocco.
The high-profile encounter is scheduled for 9 p.m. at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat.
Laryea, regarded as one of Africa’s most experienced and trusted referees, will be assisted by Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela of South Africa and Souru Phatsoane of Lesotho as assistant referees.
Arsénio Chadreque Maringule of Mozambique has been appointed third assistant referee, while Rwanda’s Samuel Uwikunda will serve as the fourth official.
For video review duties, CAF has selected South Africa’s Abongile Tom as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), with Haythem Guirat of Tunisia and Stephen Onyango Yiembe of Kenya named as assistant VAR officials.
Ethiopian referee Lidya Tafesse Abebe has been appointed referee assessor for the match.
The appointments come amid heightened scrutiny of officiating at the tournament.
Following their quarter-final defeat to Nigeria, the Algerian Football Federation submitted a formal petition to CAF and FIFA, raising concerns over refereeing decisions in that match.
CAF has since confirmed that it has opened an investigation into incidents from several quarter-final fixtures, including the Algeria–Nigeria encounter, with the matter referred to its Disciplinary Board.
The football body stressed that the review process is routine and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of officiating at the tournament.
Nigeria head into the semi-final after a strong campaign in Morocco, having eliminated Algeria in a tense quarter-final clash.
The Super Eagles have impressed with a blend of attacking flair and defensive solidity, led by striker Victor Osimhen, captain Wilfred Ndidi and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Morocco, buoyed by home support, booked their place in the last four with a convincing 2–0 victory over Cameroon and will be aiming to move a step closer to winning a first AFCON title on home soil.
Both sides now turn their attention to the pitch, with a place in the AFCON final at stake in what is expected to be a fiercely contested semi-final.
