Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has called for calm after senior coach Steve Komphela was involved in a scuffle with Wiliete coach Beto Bianchi in Angola.
Cardoso spoke at his pre-match press conference at the club’s media auditorium in Chloorkop on Wednesday afternoon. He said people should not make a big deal out of the incident, IOL reported.
“Small things can sometimes become big things when you give them too much attention,” Cardoso said. “I think too much attention was given to something unnecessary.”
The two sides met for the first time in the first leg of a CAF Champions League group stage qualifier. The match was played at Estádio Nacional da Tundavala in Lubango, Angola, and ended in a 0-0 draw.
The game ended in ugly scenes. Komphela and Bianchi were caught in a physical altercation on the way to the tunnel.
According to IOL, Bianchi later needed medical attention and was taken to hospital at one point. He has since recovered and has returned to training.
The details of what happened are still unclear. Reports claim Bianchi racially abused Komphela in Portuguese. The same reports allege he showed respect only to Cardoso and other Portuguese members of the Sundowns technical staff.
Cardoso said the two clubs got along well despite the incident. “We were very well received and escorted en route to the airport,” he said. “The two clubs established a fantastic relationship through the way people connected.”
He said the intense match caused emotions to get the better of both technical teams.
“Football involves a lot of emotion. Sometimes emotions boil over, but that doesn’t mean the glass is broken or the water is spoiled,” Cardoso said. “It was just a bit much. We have already moved past it, and hopefully, it will be a beautiful match on Friday, with everyone showing respect for one another.”
Komphela looked calm and energetic at training, IOL reported. He is set to be in the dugout when Sundowns host the Angolan side in the capital.
Cardoso said Wiliete’s team and supporters will receive top hospitality at the match. He said the focus will stay on the football and on reaching the group stage.
“There will be no extra energy from either team other than on the pitch. That’s where the teams will have to fight and play against each other,” Cardoso said.
“We have moved past it, so let’s not make noise about it. There are so many things that happen in football that we don’t speak about,” he added.
Sundowns supporters, known as Masandawana, are expected to fill Loftus in yellow and green to help keep the club’s title defence alive.
The second leg will be played at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night and will decide which team goes through to the group stage.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.