Who Is Daniel Laryea? Full Biography of the AFCON 2025 Referee Trending Now. Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea is the Ghanaian referee who has become a major talking point across African football after being appointed to officiate the Nigeria vs Morocco semi-final match at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025. His rise from local Ghanaian leagues to the biggest continental stage shows dedication, discipline, and professionalism. This article takes you through his background, career, personal life, education, and what is known about his public profile.
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Daniel Laryea Biography: Who Is Daniel Laryea? Full Biography of the AFCON 2025 Referee Trending Now
Daniel Laryea was born on 11 September 1987 in Accra, Ghana. He grew up with a deep interest in football and during his secondary education at Accra Academy, he played on the school football team, including serving as goalkeeper. Later, Laryea pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Ghana Business School and a degree in Physical Education from the University of Education, Winneba.
How Daniel Laryea Started His Refereeing Career
Laryea’s refereeing journey began very early. At just 17 years old, he started officiating matches in Ghana’s lower division leagues. By 2012, he was refereeing in the Ghana Premier League, the country’s top professional league. Two years later, in 2014, he was listed by FIFA as an international referee, opening doors to continental and global officiating assignments.
Over the years, Laryea has earned a reputation for calm authority on the pitch and a clear understanding of the laws of the game. His career quickly grew from local to international matches, showing his competence and commitment to fairness and consistency.
Major Matches and International Experience
As a FIFA-listed referee since 2014, Daniel Laryea has officiated numerous high-profile matches at both club and international levels. He has refereed in the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup, and different editions of the African Nations Championship and the Africa Cup of Nations.
At AFCON 2025 in Morocco, Laryea first worked as Video Assistant Referee in the quarter-final between Morocco and Cameroon, a match that tested the skills and nerve of any match official. Later in the tournament, he was appointed as the centre referee for the semi-final clash between Nigeria and host nation Morocco, one of the tournament’s most watched fixtures.
Before that, he had refereed group stage matches, including Algeria vs Burkina Faso, showcasing his ability to manage high-pressure games with composure and fairness. Across multiple CAF competitions and qualifiers, Laryea has consistently shown that he belongs among Africa’s elite referees.
Refereeing Style and Reputation
Daniel Laryea is widely recognized for his firm but fair refereeing style, maintaining control over matches while letting the game flow. Players, coaches, and football fans have noted his ability to manage intense games without being influenced by the crowd or the stakes involved. His background in VAR and on-field refereeing gives him versatility that modern football demands.
His continued selection for major tournaments highlights the confidence that CAF and FIFA place in his judgment. For Ghana, having a referee like Laryea represent the country at AFCON while the national team is absent adds a sense of pride and relevance to the nation’s presence on the continental stage.
Daniel Laryea Wife: Who Is Daniel Laryea married to?
Despite his high profile within football, Daniel Laryea’s personal life remains largely private. There is no verified public information about his wife or marital status, so speculation should be avoided. What is known is that Laryea enjoys physical training and basketball outside refereeing. He also has interests in modelling and photography, showing that his life off the pitch is as engaging as his professional journey.
Daniel Laryea Age: How old is Daniel Laryea?
Daniel Laryea was born in 1987, making him 38 years old during AFCON 2025. There is no reliable public record of his height, so any claim about his physical stature should be avoided unless confirmed.
Daniel Laryea Worth 2026
Like most referees, Daniel Laryea does not earn the extremely high salaries associated with professional football players. Referees at his level typically receive match fees, allowances from FIFA and CAF assignments, and income from domestic league duties. There are no confirmed net worth figures from trustworthy financial or public records.
Conclusion: Why Daniel Laryea Is Trending
Daniel Laryea’s appointment as referee for the Nigeria vs Morocco semi-final at AFCON 2025 has brought his story to a wider audience. His journey from a teenage referee in Ghana’s lower leagues to officiating one of Africa’s most important matches is a testament to dedication and professional development. As the only Ghanaian official at AFCON 2025, he carries national pride on the continental stage.