National Thunder Duo Handed Multi-Game Suspension for Referee Verbal Assault at Africa Cup of Nations.

Equatorial Guinea captain Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have each been banned 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 official's match report from the tournament encounter on the weekend, a loss that sealed the side's exit from the competition.

The official reported that the two players "continually directed abusive and obscene comments" towards him and his linesmen following the final whistle.

"These remarks were delivered in a atmosphere of extreme frustration related to the defeat, but nevertheless represent a grave violation of the principles of sportsmanship and fair play as well as the governing rules," added the official.

A portion of the respective bans for Akapo and Miranda have been suspended for a term of one year.

Immediate Impact

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

In a related development, the nation'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 match report detailed there was "a steady deterioration in conduct on the sidelines" following an own goal by defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute.

Further Disciplinary Action

Elsewhere, the continental body have also fined Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the amount of ten thousand dollars for "offensive remarks" made in a post-match media appearance after his side's 1-0 loss to Angola.