National Thunder Duo Handed Multi-Game Suspension for Referee Verbal Assault at Afcon.

Equatorial Guinea skipper Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have both been banned for four games for verbally attacking the match official following their narrow loss by Sudan at the 2025 Afcon.

The decision was handed down by a governing body committee after it reviewed the official's match report from the tournament clash on Sunday, a result that confirmed the team's exit from the competition.

The official stated that the two footballers "repeatedly directed abusive and obscene comments" towards him and his assistants following the final whistle.

"Such comments were made in a context of intense anger stemming from the loss, but nevertheless represent a grave violation of the principles of respect and conduct as well as the governing rules," noted the official.

Two matches of the respective suspensions for the two players have been deferred for a period of one calendar year.

Immediate Impact

Both players will be unavailable for their team's last tournament fixture against their next opponents on midweek.

Meanwhile, the nation's football federation has been fined a amount of ten thousand dollars after its coaching team and players engaged in "persistent and aggressive protests" against calls by the officials.

The official documentation indicated there was "a progressive deterioration in conduct on the sidelines" following an own goal by Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco in the second half.

Additional Disciplinary Measures

Elsewhere, the continental body have additionally fined Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the sum of ten thousand dollars for "offensive comments" made in a post-match interview following his side's 1-0 loss to their Group E rivals.