Daniel Laryea’s Instagram Taken Down After Nigerian Fans React to AFCON Semi-Final Defeat
- Daniel Laryea’s Instagram account was taken down after being mass-reported by Nigerian fans following the AFCON semi-final defeat to Morocco
- The goalless 120-minute clash ended in a penalty shootout, with several refereeing decisions sparking outrage on social media
- A first-half yellow card shown to Calvin Bassey was widely criticised, as many Nigerian supporters believed the foul should have gone the other way
Daniel Laryea’s Instagram account has reportedly been taken down after being mass-reported by Nigerian fans following the Super Eagles' defeat to Morocco in the AFCON semi-final.
The Ghanaian referee was in charge of the heavyweight last-four clash, which ended goalless after 120 minutes before Morocco edged the Super Eagles in a tense penalty shootout.
Source: Getty Images
Played in front of a raucous home crowd in Rabat, the contest was tightly fought, with both sides creating chances but failing to find a breakthrough in open play.
Morocco controlled large spells of possession, while Nigeria relied on pace and physicality on the counterattack.
Goalkeepers Yassine Bono and Stanley Nwabali produced several key saves to keep the match level through extra time.
However, much of the post-match discussion on social media centred on the referee’s performance.
Daniel Laryea’s Instagram deactivated
Nigerian supporters expressed frustration over a number of decisions, claiming officiating calls went against their team at crucial moments.
One incident that drew particular attention was a first-half yellow card shown to Calvin Bassey. Many Nigerian fans felt the foul should instead have been awarded against Morocco’s Brahim Díaz, arguing that the decision disrupted Nigeria’s momentum.
After the penalty shootout defeat, angry supporters reportedly flooded Laryea’s Instagram page with comments.
Shortly afterwards, the account was taken down, with reports suggesting it followed multiple complaints and mass reporting from disgruntled fans, as reported by African Football journalist @MickyJnr__.
The incident has once again highlighted the intense scrutiny faced by referees in high-stakes AFCON matches and the growing impact of social media reactions following major tournament decisions.
Morocco advances to the AFCON 2025 final, where they will chase continental glory on home soil. The Atlas Lions will face Senegal on Sunday, January 18, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Source: Getty Images
The blockbuster final gets underway at 19:00 GMT, with Sadio Mane and his teammates chasing a second continental crown, while Brahim Diaz, Achraf Hakimi, and the rest of the Moroccan squad look to secure their nation’s first AFCON trophy since 1976.
En route to the 2025 AFCON final, both Senegal and Morocco laboured. The Teranga Lions narrowly defeated Egypt 1-0 at Tangier Grand Stadium on Wednesday, January 14, thanks to a 78th-minute strike by the talismanic Mane, as CAF noted.
Meanwhile, Nigeria will lock horns against Egypt in a third-place match, per Foot Africa.
Supercomputer predicts AFCON 2025 winner
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Opta’s supercomputer has tipped the likely winner of the 2025 AFCON as the tournament enters the semi-finals.
Fans are set for exciting clashes, highlighted by a rematch of the 2021 final between Senegal and Egypt, with Nigeria facing Morocco in the other contest.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
