Equatorial Guinea Pair Handed Four-Match Suspension for Official Verbal Assault at Afcon.

The National Thunder captain Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have both been suspended for four games for abusing the match official following their narrow loss by their opponents at the 2025 Afcon.

The decision was made by a disciplinary panel after it examined the official's match report from the Group E clash on Sunday, a loss that sealed the side's exit from the tournament.

The official stated that the two footballers "continually directed abusive and offensive remarks" towards him and his assistants after the full-time whistle.

"These remarks were made in a context of intense frustration stemming from the loss, but nevertheless represent a serious violation of the standards of respect and fair play as well as the governing rules," noted the official.

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

Tournament Impact

The duo will now miss their nation's final tournament fixture against their next opponents on Wednesday.

In a related development, the country's governing body has been fined a amount of $10,000 after its coaching team and players engaged in "excessive and aggressive complaints" against calls by the refereeing team.

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

Additional Disciplinary Measures

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 media appearance following his side's defeat to Angola.