Nigerian players Victor Osimhen and Bright Osayi-Samuel have strongly criticized the refereeing during their Africa Cup of Nations semifinal loss to Morocco. The Super Eagles were eliminated after a penalty shootout, following a goalless draw that extended into extra time. Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea's decisions were a major point of contention, with Nigerian players and fans believing several calls favored the host nation, Morocco.
Key controversial moments included a yellow card issued to Calvin Bassey for an incident where replays suggested a Moroccan player, Diaz, simulated contact. Other questionable calls involved fouls being awarded against Nigerian players in seemingly unfair situations and a corner kick being wrongly converted into a goal kick. These decisions, while perhaps not directly costing Nigeria the match individually, cumulatively made it difficult for them to establish dominance.
Osimhen described the officiating as "nothing to write home about" and "that bad," expressing his disappointment and the long wait for another AFCON opportunity. Osayi-Samuel was more blunt, calling the referee "appalling" and highlighting the pain of seeing such incorrect decisions in a crucial match. This criticism aligns with broader complaints throughout the tournament about perceived favoritism towards Morocco, which even led Morocco's coach to publicly address the allegations. Former Nigerian international Victor Anichebe and player Asisat Oshoala also voiced their frustrations with the standard of officiating and CAF's relationship with Morocco. The referee's social media accounts faced significant backlash and were subsequently taken down. Despite the officiating controversy, Osimhen acknowledged Morocco's quality and congratulated them on their victory, while also expressing pride in his team's performance and resilience. Nigeria is set to play in the third-place playoff, while Morocco advances to the final.