Equatorial Guinea Pair Handed Multi-Game Ban for Referee Verbal Assault at Africa Cup of Nations.

The National Thunder captain Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have both been banned for four matches for abusing the match official after their 1-0 defeat by their opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The ruling was handed down by a governing body committee after it reviewed the official's match report from the Group E clash on the weekend, a result that confirmed the team's elimination from the competition.

The official stated that the two players "continually directed insulting and offensive comments" towards him and his linesmen after the full-time whistle.

"These remarks were delivered in a context of intense frustration stemming from the loss, but nonetheless represent a grave breach of the principles of respect and conduct as well as the disciplinary regulations," noted the official.

A portion of the respective bans for the two players have been deferred for a term of one year.

Immediate Impact

The duo will now miss their team's last group match against their next opponents on midweek.

Meanwhile, the country's governing body has been penalized a sum of $10,000 after its coaching team and players engaged in "excessive and aggressive complaints" against decisions by the refereeing team.

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

Additional Governing Body Measures

In another incident, the continental body have additionally fined Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the sum of $10,000 for "inflammatory comments" made in a post-game interview after his side's defeat to Angola.