National Thunder Duo Handed Four-Match Suspension for Official Abuse at Afcon.

The National Thunder skipper Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have both been banned for four matches for abusing the referee following their 1-0 defeat by Sudan at the 2025 Afcon.

The ruling was handed down by a governing body committee after it examined the official's match report from the tournament clash on Sunday, a loss that confirmed the team's elimination from the tournament.

The official stated that the two players "continually uttered insulting and obscene remarks" towards him and his linesmen after the full-time whistle.

"Such comments were made in a atmosphere of extreme frustration stemming from the loss, but nonetheless constitute a grave violation of the standards of respect and fair play as well as the disciplinary regulations," noted the referee.

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

Immediate Consequences

Both players will now miss their nation's last group match 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 technical staff and players engaged in "persistent and aggressive complaints" against decisions by the officials.

The match report indicated there was "a steady decline in behaviour on the sidelines" following an own goal by defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute.

Additional Disciplinary Measures

In another incident, the continental body have additionally penalized Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the amount of ten thousand dollars for "offensive comments" made in a post-match interview following his side's 1-0 loss to their Group E rivals.