CAF Champions League: Cardoso plays down Komphela-Bianchi altercation ahead of Sundowns tie

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has played down the altercation between his assistant Steve Komphela and Wiliete coach Beto Bianchi, insisting too much attention has been given to the incident.

The confrontation occurred in Angola on Sunday during the first leg of their CAF Champions League second-round tie, which ended in a goalless draw.

Wiliete claimed Bianchi required medical treatment after being kicked in a sensitive area by Komphela. Angolan media published images of Bianchi lying in an ambulance, with reports indicating that the club intended to lodge a complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Komphela, however, accused Bianchi of making racist remarks and spitting at him.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s return leg at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, Cardoso urged both sides to move on from the incident and focus on football.

“Small things sometimes can become big things when you obviously give them too much attention. And I think there was too much attention than it was necessary for what happened,” Cardoso said.

The Portuguese coach also praised the reception Sundowns received in Angola, highlighting the positive relationship between the two clubs despite the controversy.

“We were very well received in Angola, very well received and right up until the last moment when we took our return flight. The clubs have established a fantastic relationship in terms of the way people connected,” he added.

Cardoso acknowledged the emotions that often accompany football but expressed confidence that Friday’s encounter would be played in a respectful atmosphere.

“Football has a lot to do with emotions. There’s a lot of emotions, sometimes.

“We’ve already overcome that, and for sure, it will be a beautiful match on Friday, with people that will respect each other, and we will give a good welcome to Wiliete.”

The Sundowns coach also revealed that he had spent time with Bianchi before Sunday’s first leg and expected their next interaction to be cordial.

He insisted there would be no further confrontation between the technical teams, urging both sides to keep their focus on the pitch.

“And for sure, I will have an absolutely normal talk with him again. Also, again, this time, there will be no extra energy from both teams except inside the pitch, because that’s where the teams will have to fight each other and to play each other,” Cardoso said.

“Let’s not make a big noise of something that is very small. There’s so many things that happen in football that we don’t speak about, but this time it has flooded a little bit too much.”

Sundowns will host Wiliete on Friday, with a place in the CAF Champions League group stage at stake following the stalemate in the first leg.