Equatorial Guinea Duo Handed Multi-Game Ban for Official Abuse at Africa Cup of Nations.

The National Thunder skipper Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have both been banned for four matches for verbally attacking the match official after their narrow loss by Sudan at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

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

The referee reported that the two footballers "repeatedly directed abusive and offensive comments" towards him and his linesmen following the full-time whistle.

"These remarks were made in a context of extreme anger related to the loss, but nonetheless constitute a grave breach of the standards of sportsmanship and conduct as well as the disciplinary regulations," added the official.

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

Tournament Impact

The duo will be unavailable for their team's last tournament fixture against Algeria on midweek.

Meanwhile, the nation's governing body has been fined a amount of ten thousand dollars after its coaching team and squad members engaged in "persistent and abusive protests" against decisions by the officials.

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

Additional Governing Body Action

Elsewhere, the continental body have additionally penalized Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the amount of ten thousand dollars for "offensive remarks" made in a post-game interview following his side's defeat to their Group E rivals.