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

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

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

The referee stated that the two footballers "repeatedly directed insulting and offensive comments" towards him and his linesmen following the final whistle.

"These remarks were delivered in a context of extreme frustration stemming from the loss, but nevertheless represent a serious violation of the principles of respect and conduct as well as the disciplinary regulations," noted the referee.

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

Immediate Consequences

Both players will now miss their nation's final tournament fixture against their next opponents on midweek.

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

The official documentation detailed there was "a steady deterioration in behaviour on the touchline" following an own goal by Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco in the second half.

Additional Governing Body Measures

In another incident, the continental body have additionally fined Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the amount of ten thousand dollars for "inflammatory comments" uttered in a post-game media appearance following his team's 1-0 loss to Angola.