- Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso responded publicly to an altercation involving assistant coach Steve Komphela and Wiliete SC's coach in Angola
- Wiliete SC vice president Vitorino Lunga Vicele said the club would lodge complaints with CAF and Angolan authorities over the incident
- Komphela admitted to journalist Robert Marawa that he kicked Wiliete coach Beto Bianchi after alleging he was verbally abused and spat at
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has dismissed the significance of an altercation involving assistant coach Steve Komphela and Wiliete SC head coach Beto Bianchi following their CAF Confederation Cup first-leg goalless draw in Angola.
Bianchi reportedly required hospital treatment after the incident, which occurred at the conclusion of the match. Radio host and journalist Robert Marawa reported that Komphela had spoken to him directly about what transpired, with the assistant coach claiming he was verbally abused and spat at before admitting he kicked Bianchi in "a sensitive area."
Wiliete SC vice president Vitorino Lunga Vicele, according to the Angola News Agency, said the club intended to "complain to the competent bodies of CAF and Angolan justice" in response to the incident.
Cardoso Urges Calm Ahead of Second Leg
Speaking on Wednesday, 22 October 2026, ahead of Friday's return fixture at Loftus Versfeld, Cardoso chose to frame the episode as a minor emotional outburst rather than a serious disciplinary matter.
"Small things sometimes can become big things when you obviously give it too much attention. I think it got too much attention for what happened," he said.
Cardoso also pointed to the warm reception Sundowns received during their time in Angola as evidence that relations between the clubs remained positive. The coach used the occasion to stress that competitive intensity would be confined strictly to the pitch on Friday.
He also revealed he had already held a cordial conversation with Bianchi during pre-match press conference duties in Angola and expressed confidence that their working relationship would remain professional going into the second leg.
"I think everything is overcome. Let's not make a big noise about something very small. There are so many things that happen in football that we don't speak about, but this time it flooded a bit too much," Cardoso concluded.
The second leg between Mamelodi Sundowns and Wiliete SC takes place at Loftus Versfeld on Friday, 24 October 2026.
Source: Briefly News
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