National Thunder Pair Handed Multi-Game Ban for Official Abuse at Africa Cup of Nations.

The National Thunder captain Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have both been suspended for four games for abusing the referee after their narrow loss by their opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The ruling was made by a disciplinary panel after it examined the official's match report from the tournament encounter on the weekend, a result that confirmed the side's elimination from the tournament.

The official stated that the two footballers "continually directed abusive and obscene comments" towards him and his assistants following the full-time whistle.

"Such comments were made in a context of intense frustration related to the loss, but nevertheless represent a serious violation of the standards of respect and conduct as well as the governing rules," added the referee.

Two matches of the individual suspensions for the two players have been suspended for a term of one calendar year.

Tournament Impact

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

In a related development, the nation's governing body has been fined a sum of $10,000 after its coaching team and squad members engaged in "persistent and aggressive protests" against calls by the officials.

The match report detailed there was "a steady decline in behaviour on the touchline" following an unfortunate deflection by Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco in the second half.

Further Governing Body Measures

Elsewhere, the tournament organizers have also fined Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the amount of ten thousand dollars for "offensive remarks" uttered in a post-game interview after his side's 1-0 loss to Angola.