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

The National Thunder skipper Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have both been suspended for four matches for abusing the match official following their 1-0 defeat by their opponents 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 the weekend, a result that confirmed the team's exit from the tournament.

The official reported that the two players "continually uttered insulting and offensive remarks" towards him and his assistants after the full-time whistle.

"These remarks were made in a context of intense frustration stemming from the defeat, but nonetheless constitute a serious violation of the principles of respect and fair play as well as the governing rules," added the referee.

Two matches of the respective suspensions for the two players have been deferred for a period of one calendar year.

Tournament Impact

Both players will be unavailable for their team's final group match against Algeria on Wednesday.

In a related development, the country's football federation has been penalized a sum of ten thousand dollars after its technical staff and players engaged in "persistent and abusive complaints" against decisions by the officials.

The official documentation detailed there was "a progressive decline in conduct on the sidelines" after an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the second half.

Further Governing Body Measures

Elsewhere, the continental body have additionally fined Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the amount of ten thousand dollars for "offensive remarks" uttered in a post-match interview after his team's defeat to Angola.