Daniel Laryea breaks 54-year barrier, restores Ghana’s refereeing pride on AFCON’s biggest stage

Ghanaian officiating history was rewritten at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as Daniel Nii Laryea became the first referee from the country in 54 years to take charge of an AFCON semi-final, a landmark moment that has firmly placed Ghana back on the continental and global refereeing map.

The country’s top-rated official was handed the prestigious assignment of officiating the high-stakes semi-final clash between host nation Morocco and Nigeria, a clear vote of confidence in his consistency, authority and elite-level competence. The appointment marked a historic return for Ghanaian referees to the latter stages of Africa’s biggest football tournament.

Laryea is only the second Ghanaian referee to officiate an AFCON semi-final, following the late George Lamptey, who handled the 1972 semi-final in Cameroon between Zaire and Mali. Lamptey also officiated the third-place match at the same tournament, where hosts Cameroon defeated Zaire 5–2 to claim bronze.

More than five decades after Lamptey’s trailblazing achievement, Laryea’s rise represents a powerful statement of renewal for Ghanaian officiating.

In an era where referees operate under intense scrutiny and global attention, the 38-year-old delivered assured performances throughout the tournament, earning the trust of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at the highest level.

The milestone carries even greater significance given Ghana’s long absence from AFCON semi-final officiating appointments, and comes nine years after a high-profile refereeing controversy on the continent that placed African officiating under the microscope. Against that backdrop, Laryea’s excellence stands as a symbol of progress, professionalism and restored credibility.

A FIFA referee since 2014, Daniel Laryea has steadily built his reputation through discipline, consistency and elite match control. His historic semi-final appointment at AFCON 2025 is not only a personal triumph, but a defining moment for Ghanaian football administration and officiating standards.

After 54 long years, Ghana once again has a referee trusted with the biggest moments on Africa’s grandest stage — and in Daniel Laryea, the nation has a standard-bearer whose rise signals a new era of respect, relevance and global recognition.