Cardoso calls for calm after Komphela altercation before Wiliete decider

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has played down the confrontation between senior coach Steve Komphela and Wiliete coach Beto Bianchi, urging both sides to focus on Friday’s decisive CAF Champions League fixture rather than the fallout from their first meeting.

The clubs’ first-ever encounter in the competition ended with an altercation involving Komphela and Bianchi as the two technical teams made their way towards the tunnel at Estadio Nacional da Tundavala in Lubango, Angola.

Bianchi later required medical attention and was hospitalised at one stage. He has since recovered and returned to training ahead of the second leg at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.

The tie remains level after a 0-0 draw in Angola, with the Pretoria match determining which side progresses to the group stage.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. Reports have claimed that Bianchi racially abused Komphela in Portuguese, his native language, after allegedly showing respect only to Sundowns’ Portuguese members of the technical staff, including Cardoso.

Komphela, however, appeared calm and energetic during training and is expected to take his place in the dugout when Sundowns host the Angolan side.

Speaking at Sundowns’ media auditorium at Chloorkop on Wednesday afternoon, Cardoso sought to reduce tensions surrounding the incident.

“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.

“We were very well received and escorted en route to the airport. The two clubs established a fantastic relationship through the way people connected.”

Cardoso said the confrontation was a consequence of the pressure and emotion surrounding the match, rather than an indication of a lasting dispute between the clubs.

“Football involves a lot of emotion. Sometimes emotions boil over, but that doesn’t mean the glass is broken or the water is spoiled,” he 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.”

Sundowns supporters, known as Masandawana, are expected to fill Loftus Versfeld with the club’s yellow and green colours as the home side attempts to keep its title defence on course.

Cardoso also stressed that Wiliete’s players and supporters would receive a warm welcome, with both teams expected to concentrate solely on the result required to reach 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.”