AFCON Fury: 'Incompetent Referee' Sparks Outcry Over Calvin Bassey's Controversial Yellow Card and Final Miss
The AFCON 2025 semi-final between Nigeria and Morocco was marred by controversial officiating, particularly a contentious yellow card issued to Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey. This decision, widely criticized by fans, now means Bassey will be suspended for a potential final, despite his stellar performance during the match.)
The highly anticipated AFCON 2025 semi-final clash between Nigeria's Super Eagles and host nation Morocco was marred by controversial officiating from Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi LARYEA, leading to significant fallout, most notably a critical yellow card for key Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey. Concerns about Laryea's ability to handle a match of such magnitude proved valid, as his performance was widely criticized for being biased towards the Moroccans, affecting Nigeria's performance despite no direct influence on the game's outcome.
The most egregious incident occurred in the 32nd or 33rd minute, when Bassey was controversially shown a yellow card for a foul on Brahim Diaz. Replays clearly indicated that it was the Real Madrid star who pulled Bassey's shirt, making the decision to penalize Bassey and then book him appear unjust. This 'gaffe' set the tone for an officiating display that many, including Nigerian fans, deemed a