Equatorial Guinea Pair Handed Four-Match Ban for Official Abuse at Africa Cup of Nations.

The National Thunder skipper Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have each been banned for four matches for abusing the referee following their narrow loss by their opponents at the 2025 Afcon.

The decision was made by a governing body committee after it examined the official's match report from the tournament clash on the weekend, a result that sealed the side's exit from the competition.

The referee reported that the two players "repeatedly directed abusive and offensive comments" towards him and his assistants after the final whistle.

"Such comments were made in a context of intense anger stemming from the defeat, but nevertheless constitute a serious violation of the standards of sportsmanship and conduct as well as the governing rules," noted the official.

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

Tournament Consequences

The duo will be unavailable for their team's last tournament fixture against their next opponents on Wednesday.

In a related development, the nation's governing body has been fined a amount of ten thousand dollars after its coaching team and squad members engaged in "excessive and abusive complaints" against calls by the officials.

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

Further Disciplinary Measures

In another incident, the tournament organizers have also fined Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the sum of $10,000 for "inflammatory remarks" uttered in a post-match interview after his side's 1-0 loss to Angola.