CAF fines and suspends two Equatorial Guinea players at AFCON 2025

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined two Equatorial Guinea national team players over violent conduct during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations  (AFCON)in Morocco.

The players, who are suspended for Equatorial Guinea’s final group game against Algeria, are José Antonio Miranda (Josete) and team captain Carlos Akapo Martínez.

Josete and Akapo were recorded insulting the match official during their 1–0 loss to Sudan on matchday two. The CAF Disciplinary Committee stated that both players were found guilty of abusing the match referee using offensive language. Josete and Akapo are now ruled out of the final group-stage game against Algeria.

CAF fines Equatorial Guinea stars over AFCON violence

CAF also fined the Equatorial Guinea coaching staff, slapping them with a USD 10,000 penalty. The Equatorial Guinea Football Federation (FEGUIFUT) has three days to appeal the verdict and 60 days to pay the fine if the appeal fails to reverse the decision.

Head coach Juan Micha finds himself in a predicament following the fine. His side has lost two games in the ongoing AFCON in Morocco and is at risk of early elimination. The suspension of Josete and Akapo further increases pressure on the national team and the federation ahead of their crucial game against Algeria.