National Thunder Pair Issued Multi-Game Ban for Official 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 referee after their narrow loss by their opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The ruling was made by a governing body committee after it reviewed the official's match report from the Group E clash on Sunday, a loss that confirmed the side's elimination from the competition.

The official stated that the two footballers "continually directed abusive and obscene comments" towards him and his linesmen after the final whistle.

"These remarks were delivered in a atmosphere of extreme anger stemming from the loss, but nevertheless represent a serious breach of the standards of respect and conduct as well as the disciplinary regulations," added the referee.

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

Immediate Consequences

Both players will be unavailable for their team's last group match 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 coaching team and squad members engaged in "excessive and abusive protests" against decisions by the officials.

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

Additional Disciplinary Measures

Elsewhere, the tournament organizers have also penalized Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the sum of $10,000 for "inflammatory comments" uttered in a post-match interview after his team's defeat to Angola.