National Thunder Duo Handed Multi-Game Ban for Referee Abuse at Afcon.

Equatorial Guinea skipper Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have both been suspended for four games for abusing the match official following their narrow loss by Sudan at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The ruling was handed down by a governing body committee after it reviewed the referee's report from the Group E clash on the weekend, a loss that confirmed the team's elimination from the tournament.

The referee reported that the two footballers "continually directed abusive and offensive remarks" towards him and his assistants after the final whistle.

"These remarks were made in a context of extreme anger related to the defeat, but nevertheless constitute a grave violation of the standards of respect and conduct as well as the disciplinary regulations," added the official.

A portion of the respective bans for the two players have been deferred for a term of one calendar year.

Immediate Consequences

The duo will be unavailable for their team's final tournament fixture against Algeria on midweek.

Meanwhile, the country's football federation has been penalized a sum of ten thousand dollars after its coaching team and players engaged in "persistent and abusive protests" against calls by the refereeing team.

The official documentation indicated there was "a steady decline in behaviour on the touchline" after an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the second half.

Additional Governing Body Action

In another incident, the tournament organizers have additionally fined Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the sum of $10,000 for "offensive remarks" made in a post-game interview following his side's defeat to Angola.