Ghanaian referee’s Instagram account disappears after Nigerians attack

The Instagram account of Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has reportedly disappeared following a backlash from Nigerian fans after the Super Eagles’ dramatic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final defeat to Morocco

Laryea officiated the high-stakes clash, which ended 0-0 after extra time before Morocco won 4-2 on penalties to reach the final. The match itself was tense, but the fallout afterwards has been even more intense.

Even before kick-off, some Nigerian supporters expressed concern over Laryea’s appointment, citing the historic football rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana. Those worries resurfaced during the game as several decisions went against the Super Eagles.

One controversial moment came when defender Calvin Bassey was shown a yellow card, a booking that will see him suspended for the next match. Many fans felt the caution was harsh and unnecessary given the importance of the fixture.

Following the match, frustrated supporters reportedly traced Laryea’s social media accounts and began mass-reporting them. As of the last check, his Instagram page was no longer accessible.

Nigerian defender Bright Osayi-Samuel expressed his disappointment in the mixed zone:

“The referee was appalling. I’m not saying that’s the reason why we lost but he was making very, very wrong decisions and it’s really painful to see that we have referees like that in a game like today.”

Striker Akor Adams also showed his frustration, offering a brief reaction as he left the pitch:

“Make una go interview the referee,” he said while walking past reporters at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Since the semi-final defeat, debate over Laryea’s officiating has continued online, with many Nigerian fans alleging that the referee favoured the host nation. While no official complaint has been lodged, the controversy remains a major talking point among supporters.