Super Eagles defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, has openly criticised Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea following Nigeria’s painful exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco on Wednesday night.

The highly charged encounter at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat ended goalless after 120 minutes, with Morocco eventually triumphing 4-2 in a penalty shootout to seal a place in the final.

Reacting after the match, Osayi-Samuel did not hide his frustration with the officiating, describing the referee’s performance as below standard for a game of such magnitude.

“One thing I would say is that the referee was appalling. I’m not saying that because we lost,” the Birmingham City defender told reporters.
“He made some very wrong decisions. It’s really painful that we’ve referees like that to officiate big games. I wish Morocco all the best.”

The comments reflect the mood within the Nigerian camp, as the Super Eagles felt several key decisions went against them during the tense semi-final, further adding to the disappointment of missing out on a place in the final.

Despite the setback, Osayi-Samuel and his teammates are already shifting focus to their next assignment. Nigeria will take on Egypt in the AFCON third-place playoff this weekend, with the defender expected to play a leadership role as the Eagles look to end the tournament on a positive note.

Opinion: Frustration, Fairness, and the Need for Better Officiating

Osayi-Samuel’s outburst is one many fans can relate to. In matches decided by fine margins, refereeing decisions often become magnified, especially when a place in a continental final is at stake.

While Morocco executed their game plan well and deserved credit for their discipline, questions around officiating cannot simply be brushed aside. AFCON is Africa’s biggest football stage, and such games demand consistency, clarity, and confidence from match officials.

That said, Nigeria must also look inward. The Super Eagles struggled to create clear chances over 120 minutes, and relying solely on refereeing errors risks overlooking areas that need improvement.

As emotions cool, the focus should shift to lessons learned and finishing strong. A third-place finish may not be the ultimate prize, but it still matters—for pride, confidence, and the future of this promising Super Eagles side.