Nigeria defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has described the performance of referee of Ghanaian Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final as ‘appalling’.
Osayi-Samuel was an ever-present figure in the Super Eagles en route to the semi-finals were they fell to Morocco 4-2 on penalties after the match finished goalless at 120 minutes in Rabat on Wednesday evening.
Laryea came under immense pressure even prior to the game due to the rivalry of the two nations and the Birmingham talent believes his performance was not up to standards.
“We played well, penalties is a lottery, it’s luck and we didn’t have the luck today but I’m very proud of the team, the back-four was excellent and yeah, I have things that’s really paining me to say,” Osayi-Samuel said.
“Morocco won… and I’m not taking anything away from Morocco, but I think the referee was appalling today, making decisions that was difficult for us to take but like I said, take nothing away from Morocco, I wish them all the best.
“It’s very painful, we saw signs from previous games, but I don’t think [the refereeing] is the reason they won, it was penalties and they won it – so I wish them all the best. But I’ve enjoyed this AFCON, improved a lot and yeah – I look forward to the future.”
Nigeria will now focus on the bronze medal fixture against Egypt – which will take place at the Stade Mohamed V on Saturday as the curtain raiser to the final.
