Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso stated that the incident involving the conflict between head coach Steve Komphele and Vilete's coach, Viliete Beto Bianchi, does not warrant much attention. He emphasized that people should not give too much importance to trivial matters.
The first match of the CAF Champions League group stage qualifiers between Sundowns and Vilete took place at the National Tundavala Stadium in Lubango, Angola, and ended with a tense scene. A physical altercation occurred between Komphele and Bianchi while traveling through a tunnel.
It was later reported that Bianchi required medical attention and was hospitalized for some time, but he has since recovered and resumed training ahead of the second match, which will take place on Friday evening at Loftus Versfeld. This match will be decisive following the draw in the first game in Angola.
Although details of the conflict remain unclear, reports suggest that Bianchi used racial slurs against Komphele in his native Portuguese, allegedly showing respect only to Sundowns' Portuguese colleagues, including Cardoso and other technical staff.
Komphele, appearing characteristically calm, energetic, and lively in training sessions, is ready to take the field when Sundowns hosts the Angolan team in the country's capital. Meanwhile, Cardoso calmed tensions during the pre-match press conference, which was held in the club's media auditorium in Khulrophe on Wednesday afternoon.
Cardoso noted: 'Small things can sometimes become big if too much attention is paid to them. I believe too much attention was given to something unnecessary.' He added that the team was received very well and escorted to the airport, and both clubs established excellent relations due to how people communicate.
The coach also explained that this is a classic example of how emotions take over both technical teams and involved parties due to the high intensity of the game. 'Football is associated with many emotions. Sometimes emotions spill out, but that doesn't mean the glass is broken or the water is spoiled,' said Cardoso. 'It was just a little too much. We have already gotten past it, and I hope for a great match on Friday where everyone shows mutual respect.'
Sundowns fans, known as Masandawana, are expected on Friday evening to paint Loftus yellow and green, helping the team defend its title. Cardoso specifically stressed that premium hospitality would be provided to the Vilete fans and the team, as the focus remains strictly on the game moments—namely, progression to the group stage.
He concluded: 'There will be no extra energy from either team except what is on the field. That is where the teams must fight and play against each other. We left that behind, so let's not make noise about it. So much happens in football that we don't talk about.'