Cardoso Downplays Komphela Tunnel Altercation Ahead Of Wiliete SC Clash
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has played down the controversy surrounding an incident involving his assistant, Steve Komphela, and Wiliete SC head coach Beto Bianchi.
Komphela was involved in a post-match tunnel altercation with Bianchi in Lubango, Angola, on Sunday following a goalless draw in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie.
Bianchi was reportedly taken to hospital after the incident, while footage of the confrontation began circulating widely on social media on Monday.
Speaking ahead of the decisive second leg, Cardoso suggested that the incident had attracted more attention than necessary, insisting that relations between the two clubs remained positive.
“Sometimes small things can become big things when you give them too much attention, and I think what happened received more attention than was necessary,” he said.
“We were very well received in Angola, and the relationship between the clubs has been fantastic. Football is a game of emotions, and sometimes emotions can overflow. It does not mean that everything is broken; it is simply a case of emotions getting the better of people.
“We have already moved past that, and I am sure Friday’s match will be beautiful, with both sides respecting each other. We will welcome the Wiliete supporters, just as we expect our supporters to do. I also had a good conversation with their coach before the previous match, and I am sure we will speak normally again.
“There will be no extra tension between the teams. The only fight should be on the pitch, where we compete and play football. Everything has been overcome, so let us not make a big issue out of something very small.”
Sundowns and Wiliete will meet again on Friday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria for the decisive second leg, with a place in the CAF Champions League group stage at stake.
The winners over the two legs will advance to the group stage, while the losing side will be eliminated from the competition.
