Mamelodi Sundowns boss Cardoso plays down Steve Komphela clash with Wiliete coach

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says the confrontation between assistant coach Steve Komphela and Wiliete SC manager Beto Bianchi has been exaggerated ahead of their CAF Champions League second-leg meeting.

Komphela and Brazilian coach Bianchi were involved in an altercation after last weekend’s goalless first-leg draw in Lubango, Angola. Bianchi required medical attention following the match, but Cardoso said the incident had received more attention than it warranted.

Angolan media reports claimed Bianchi was struck “in the intimate area” by Komphela after an angry exchange. Other reports alleged that Bianchi had racially abused Komphela. Neither claim was confirmed in the comments from Cardoso.

“There are two things, and the first one is that small things can become big things if you give it too much attention. There was much more attention than was necessary for what happened,” Cardoso said.

Sundowns host Wiliete at Loftus on Friday night, knowing they need a positive result to avoid the defending champions being eliminated in the qualifying stage of the competition.

Cardoso stressed that the relationship between the clubs remained positive, despite the emotions that followed the first leg.

“We were very well received in Angola and we were very well looked after until the last moment when we entered the flight back home. The teams are establishing a fantastic relationship in terms of being connected,” he said.

He added that there was no lingering hostility between the teams and that both sets of players were concentrating on the match.

“Football has a lot do to with emotions, and sometimes they drop out of the glass and it is broken, and water is spilled. It was just too many emotions, but we have overcome that.

“For sure it will be a beautiful match on Friday with people who respect each other, and we will welcome the people from Wiliete SC very well.”

Cardoso said he had already spoken with Bianchi before the first-leg fixture and expected another routine conversation in Johannesburg.

“I had a beautiful talk with the coach before the first leg match when we went for the press conference.

“I will have a normal talk with him this time, and there will be no extra energy from both teams other than on the pitch, which is where the teams will fight it out.”

The Sundowns coach said the incident should now be left behind.

“Everything has been overcome and let’s not make a big noise on something that is very small. There are so many things that happen in football that we don’t speak about.”