National Thunder Duo Issued Four-Match Suspension for Official Verbal Assault at Afcon.

Equatorial Guinea skipper Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have both been suspended for four matches for verbally attacking the referee following their narrow loss by Sudan at the 2025 Afcon.

The decision was made by a governing body committee after it reviewed the referee's report from the tournament clash on the weekend, a loss that confirmed the team's elimination from the tournament.

The official reported that the two players "repeatedly directed insulting and obscene remarks" towards him and his assistants after the final whistle.

"Such comments were made in a context of intense frustration stemming from the defeat, but nonetheless represent a grave violation of the principles of sportsmanship and conduct as well as the governing rules," added the official.

A portion of the individual suspensions for Akapo and Miranda have been suspended for a period of one calendar year.

Immediate Consequences

Both players will now miss their nation's final tournament fixture against Algeria on Wednesday.

In a related development, the country's governing body has been fined a sum of $10,000 after its technical staff and players engaged in "excessive and abusive protests" against decisions by the officials.

The official documentation detailed there was "a progressive deterioration in conduct on the sidelines" after an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute.

Additional Disciplinary Action

In another incident, the tournament organizers have also penalized Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the sum of $10,000 for "offensive comments" made in a post-game interview after his team's defeat to Angola.