Ghanaian Referee Daniel Nii Laryea’s Instagram Reportedly Blocked After AFCON 2025 Semi-Final
Ghanaian Referee Daniel Nii Laryea’s Instagram Reportedly Blocked After AFCON 2025 Semi-Final
Social media has erupted following the dramatic AFCON 2025 semi-final clash between Nigeria and Morocco, with Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea finding himself at the center of a growing online storm.
According to multiple reports circulating online, Laryea’s Instagram account was allegedly blocked or restricted by thousands of Nigerian football fans after his officiating in the highly charged encounter, which many supporters described as controversial and unfair to Nigeria.
The match, which carried huge stakes and emotions on both sides, was filled with several contentious moments. Nigerian fans have particularly pointed to key refereeing decisions they believe went against the Super Eagles, including penalty calls, fouls, and the overall flow of the game. These decisions have fueled widespread anger and accusations of bias, pushing many fans to express their frustration online.
Shortly after the game, users on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook began sharing screenshots claiming that Daniel Nii Laryea’s Instagram page was no longer accessible or had been restricted in Nigeria. While it remains unclear whether the referee personally disabled his account or if it was overwhelmed by mass reporting, the situation highlights the intense emotions that football can generate across the continent.
Many Nigerian supporters took to social media to demand accountability from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), calling for a review of the referee’s performance in the semi-final. Some even urged CAF to ensure that only the highest-rated officials handle matches of such magnitude in the future.
Despite the online backlash, football analysts have also reminded fans that referees operate under immense pressure and that controversial decisions are part of the game. However, that has done little to calm the outrage, especially given the importance of the AFCON semi-final and Nigeria’s long-standing rivalry with North African teams in the competition.
As of now, neither Daniel Nii Laryea nor CAF has issued an official statement regarding the alleged blocking of his Instagram account or the controversies surrounding the match. But one thing is clear: the AFCON 2025 semi-final has left a deep mark, not just on the pitch, but also across Africa’s digital football community
