National Thunder Duo Handed Multi-Game Ban for Official Abuse at Africa Cup of Nations.

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

The decision was handed down by a governing body committee after it reviewed the official's match report from the Group E encounter on Sunday, a loss that confirmed the side's exit from the tournament.

The referee reported that the two players "repeatedly directed abusive and obscene remarks" towards him and his assistants following the final whistle.

"Such comments were delivered in a context of extreme frustration stemming from the defeat, but nonetheless constitute a serious breach of the principles of sportsmanship and fair play as well as the governing rules," added the official.

A portion of the individual suspensions for the two players have been deferred for a term of one year.

Immediate Impact

Both players will be unavailable for their team's final tournament fixture against their next opponents on Wednesday.

In a related development, the nation's football federation has been penalized a sum of ten thousand dollars after its coaching team and squad members engaged in "persistent and aggressive protests" against decisions by the refereeing team.

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

Additional Governing Body Action

Elsewhere, the continental body have also penalized Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the amount of ten thousand dollars for "inflammatory remarks" uttered in a post-game media appearance following his side's defeat to Angola.