CAF names Ghana, South Africa referees for Nigeria vs Morocco AFCON semi-final

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed match officials from Ghana and South Africa to oversee the highly anticipated AFCON 2025 semi-final clash between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the host nation, Morocco.

According to CAF, Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea will serve as the centre referee for the blockbuster encounter, which will determine one of the finalists of the Africa Cup of Nations currently taking place in Morocco.

Laryea is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most experienced and dependable referees, having officiated at multiple AFCON tournaments, FIFA competitions, and high-profile continental fixtures.

He will be assisted by South African official Abongile Tom, who has been named among the assistant referees and will also play a role in Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties.

Other officials linked to the officiating team include Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela of South Africa and Souru Phatsoane of Lesotho, providing additional continental balance.

This marks his second game as a centre referee in the tournament. Earlier assignments include a centre referee for the group stage match between Algeria and Burkina Faso which ended in a controversy.

He was also in the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) role in the quarter-final between Morocco and Cameroon. Laryea, a FIFA-badged referee since 2014 and Ghana's only representative among the officials selected for AFCON 2025.

Nigeria head into the semi-final in strong form after eliminating Algeria in the quarter-finals, while Morocco are banking on home advantage as they chase a first AFCON title since 1976.