The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has congratulated referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea for his exceptional achievements and sterling representation of Ghanaian football officiating on the continental stage, particularly at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In a statement dated January 19, 2026, SWAG praised Laryea’s career progression and recent accomplishments as clear evidence of the success of merit-based development and strong institutional support within Ghana’s refereeing structure.
The association noted that it came as no surprise when Laryea was crowned 2025 Referee of the Year at the 50th SWAG Awards, following a year of consistently high-level performances both domestically and internationally.
Despite Ghana’s failure to qualify for AFCON 2025, Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea stood out as the only Ghanaian among the 72 match officials selected for the tournament. He distinguished himself as an elite referee and a proud ambassador of Ghana throughout the competition.
His appointment to officiate the AFCON 2025 semifinal between host nation Morocco and Nigeria was described as a strong affirmation of his competence and integrity. In what was a high-pressure fixture of continental significance, Laryea delivered an authoritative and composed performance, further strengthening the confidence reposed in him by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Beyond AFCON 2025, Laryea’s officiating résumé includes multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, the CAF Women’s Champions League, the African Nations Championship (CHAN), and several high-profile domestic competitions.
SWAG attributed these individual successes to sustained institutional reforms spearheaded by the Ghana Football Association (GFA), commending the association for its commitment to strengthening refereeing standards and restoring credibility and integrity to football officiating after a difficult period in Ghana’s football history.
The association expressed optimism that the current positive momentum will be sustained and enhanced, leading to the emergence of more Ghanaian referees at major CAF and FIFA competitions, and ensuring that Ghana’s refereeing fraternity continues to command respect across Africa and beyond.
