Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has praised Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea, describing him as the standout official at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and expressing confidence that he could earn a FIFA World Cup call-up.

Laryea came under the spotlight during the just-ended AFCON, particularly following his performance in the semi-final clash between Nigeria and host nation Morocco. After Nigeria’s 4:2 penalty shootout defeat, sections of the Nigerian team, social media and football public criticised the officiating, alleging bias in favour of the hosts.

However, Mr Lante Vanderpuye strongly disagreed with those claims, insisting that Laryea delivered an outstanding performance and demonstrated qualities befitting a World Cup referee.

“I am so proud as a Ghanaian because one Ghanaian in the middle distinguished himself so well,” he told JoyNews.

“The referee was excellent and I am sure FIFA would be considering him for the World Cup.”

The former Odododiodio lawmaker stressed that his assessment was not driven by national bias but by close observation of the tournament, which ended with Senegal defeating Morocco 1–0 in the final.

“Of all the matches that I’ve watched in the AFCON, I can tell you, not because I am bias as a Ghanaian, he is the best,” he said.

“His composure and positioning, I will give him 95 percent.”

Daniel Laryea also officiated a group stage encounter between Algeria and Burkina Faso and served as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during the quarter-final match between Morocco and Cameroon.

The Ghanaian referee has since returned home and is expected to officiate upcoming Ghana Premier League (GPL) fixtures.