AFCON 2025: NFF President Sends Message to Nigerians After Laryea’s Officiating vs Morocco
- The President of the Nigeria Football Federation Ibrahim Gusau has sent a message to Nigerians after losing to Morocco
- Nigeria lost to the Atlas Lions of Morocco 4-2 on penalties in the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat
- Nigerians are aggrieved over the controversial officiating of Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea in the match
- A Nigerian journalist slams the NFF’s decision to go soft on the incident from the onset claiming it was not needed
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, has sent a message to Nigerians after their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations loss to Morocco.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco defeated the Super Eagles of Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw in 120 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Source: Getty Images
Nigeria’s major talking point from the match was the questionable officiating of Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea, whom they earlier raised concerns about.
Laryea had some questionable decisions, which included booking Calvin Bassey after Moroccan star Brahim Diaz appeared to have pulled his shirt.
The yellow card ruled Bassey out of Nigeria’s third-place match against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, as noted by CAF.
Highlights of Nigeria vs Morocco below.
NFF President urges Nigerians to move on
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau has urged Nigerians to move on from the match, describing the incidents as circumstances and challenges which the team coped well with.
“It is important to retain focus by not continuing to dwell on what happened in the semi final match. As far as we are concerned, the team coped well in the circumstances, navigating a number of challenges and playing their game,” he said.
“The NFF is proud of the output of the team at this championship. They gave their best and still remain the team to have scored the most goals here,” he added.
“We will talk to them to pick up their morale and go for the bronze so that they will have something from a tournament in which they have done so well.”
Gusau allayed fears before the match over the officiating, claiming there would not be manipulative officiating, but the “circumstances” and “challenges” played their part.
Source: Getty Images
The team arrived in Casablanca on Thursday, January 15, and trained later in the day in preparation for the match against Egypt on Saturday, January 17.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, who missed the semi-final due to suspension and injury, and youngster Ryan Alebiosu trained separately from the rest of the team.
Head coach Eric Chelle and one player will speak to the media on Friday as the Super Eagles prepare for their final act before leaving Morocco.
A Nigerian journalist who asked not to be named slams the NFF president, claiming his statements after Laryea's appointment and poor performance are weak and pathetic.
“There is no point trying to be the good guy in a case where you should be tough. The NFF should have spoken against the appointment of the officials even if there was no premeditated idea to influence the match,” he told Legit.ng.
“Instead, NFF was releasing patronising statements for the referee and at the end of the day adopted a soft tone after the damage had been done. We really need to take a tough stance in CAF again.”
Daniel Laryea breaks silence after semifinal clash
Legit.ng reported that controversial referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea spoke after Nigeria's semi-final loss to Morocco.
A Nigerian pundit bumped into Laryea on the streets of Rabat, and the Ghanaian referee appeared calm despite social media abuse from Nigerians.
Source: Legit.ng
