AFCON 2025: CAF appoints Ghanaian referee, South African officials for Nigeria vs Morocco

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the match officials for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final showdown between Nigeria and Morocco, naming a Ghanaian referee alongside officials from South Africa and other African nations.

According to a statement released on Tuesday, Ghana’s Daniel Nii Laryea will take charge of the highly anticipated fixture. He will be supported by South Africa’s Zakhele Siwela and Lesotho’s Souru Phatsoane as assistant referees.

Mozambique’s Arsénio Maringule has been selected as the third assistant referee, while Rwanda’s Samuel Uwikunda will act as the fourth official for the encounter.

CAF further disclosed the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team, which includes South Africa’s Tom Abongile, Tunisia’s Haythem Guirat, and Kenya’s Stephen Yiembe. Ethiopia’s Lydia Abebe has been appointed as the referee assessor.

The semi-final clash will see the Super Eagles battle the Atlas Lions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Wednesday, with kick-off set for 9 p.m. Nigerian time.

Nigeria secured their spot in the last four with a 2–0 victory over Algeria in the quarter-finals, having earlier overpowered Mozambique in the knockout stage.

The Super Eagles also dominated the group phase, collecting a maximum of nine points from three matches.

Under the guidance of head coach Eric Chelle, Nigeria have emerged as the tournament’s most lethal attacking side, netting 14 goals so far — a new national record for goals scored by the country in a single AFCON campaign.