‘There was much more attention than was necessary for what happened,’ says Brazilians coach

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has poured cold water on the storm that erupted between assistant Steve Komphela and Wiliete SC coach Beto Bianchi after their goalless first leg in Angola last weekend.

Cardoso confirmed there was an altercation between Komphela and Brazilian Bianchi, who needed medical attention after the final whistle in their 0-0 draw in the Caf Champions League second preliminary round first leg match in Lubango, Angola, but said it had been blown out of proportion.

Reports in the Angolan media alleged Bianchi was hit “in the intimate area” by Komphela after a heated exchange of words. Some reports have alleged Bianchi racially abused Komphela.

“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 as Sundowns prepared to face Wiliete in the decisive second leg at Loftus on Friday night.

The Brazilians need a favourable result at home to avoid an embarrassing situation of the defending champions being knocked out in the qualifying stage.

“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,” Cardoso said.

He said emotions ran high after the match but there are no hard feelings between the two teams, whose players are fully focused on producing a good Champions League game.

“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.

“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.

“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.”