Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has been appointed as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for tomorrow’s highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations 2025 quarter-final clash between hosts Morocco and five-time champions Cameroon.
Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida will take charge as the center official, supported by a multinational team:
– Assistant Referee 1: Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos (Angola)
– Assistant Referee 2: Ivanildo Meirelles de Oliveira Sanches (Angola)
– Assistant Referee 3: Styven Moutsassi Moyo (Congo)
– Fourth Official: Mahmood Ali Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)
In the VAR room:
– VAR: Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea (Ghana)
– Assistant VAR 1: Haythem Guirat (Tunisia)
– Assistant VAR 2: Babacar Sarr (Mauritania)
Referee Assessor: René Daniel Louzaya (Congo)
The match, scheduled for January 9 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat with an 8:00 PM local kick-off, pits the home favorites—chasing their first title since 1976—against the Indomitable Lions, who have shown resilience in reaching the last eight.
CAF’s selection of Laryea for this blockbuster encounter underscores the significant trust placed in his expertise, particularly in high-stakes scenarios where VAR interventions could prove pivotal amid intense pressure from the home crowd and the teams’ storied rivalry.
Laryea, the only Ghanaian official selected for the tournament and making his third consecutive AFCON appearance, has already demonstrated his capabilities on the field this edition.
He served as the center referee in the group stage match between Algeria and Burkina Faso, which ended in a 1-0 victory for Algeria. Beyond that, he has handled VAR responsibilities in several other games throughout the competition, further solidifying his reputation as one of Africa’s most reliable and consistent match officials.
His calm decision-making and proficiency with video technology have earned widespread recognition, positioning him ideally for this crucial role in the video review room as Morocco and Cameroon battle for a semi-final spot.