CAF Champions League: Wiliete SC condemn alleged assault on coach Beto Bianchi

Wiliete SC vice-president Vitorino Lunga Vicele has condemned the alleged assault on head coach Beto Bianchi following the Angolan club’s CAF Champions League match against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The two sides played out a goalless draw in the first leg of the second qualifying round at the Tundavala National Stadium on Sunday.

However, the match was overshadowed by an alleged altercation involving Bianchi and a member of Sundowns’ technical team, reportedly Steve Komphela, as the Wiliete coach made his way to the post-match press conference.

Speaking to the media on Monday, according to Angolan news agency Angop, Vicele described the incident as “very sad” and said such behaviour had no place in football.

He explained that there had been a brief exchange of words between the two technical benches during the match, but said the matter had been resolved at half-time.

Vicele alleged that Bianchi was kicked in a sensitive area, causing him to collapse. The coach reportedly recovered after 50 minutes following intervention by Angola’s emergency medical services.

“It is something that should not happen, especially when we are talking about two professional teams. We will therefore lodge complaints with the relevant CAF bodies and the Angolan justice system,” Vicele said.

He added that Bianchi was responding positively and confirmed that Sundowns’ management had apologised both verbally and in writing.

Although the match commissioner had recorded the incident, Wiliete were considering further action through the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) disciplinary structures.

However, Angop also reported that a Wiliete club member said representatives of the two sides had spoken after the incident and reached an understanding, adding that no formal complaint had been filed.

The account appears to contradict Vicele’s stated intention to pursue the matter through official channels, leaving uncertainty over whether Wiliete will proceed with a formal complaint.