Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has played down the altercation that occurred in Angola and framed Friday’s second leg against Wiliete SC in Pretoria as a “cup final” for the reigning champions.
Mamelodi Sundowns are preparing for their return leg against Wiliete SC of Benguela on Friday 23 October 2026 at 20:00 (SAST) at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. The South African club go into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw in Lubango in the first leg, according to SABC News.
The draw was marred by an altercation between Steve Komphela, a member of the Sundowns technical staff, and Wiliete head coach Beto Bianchi at the final whistle. The Angolan club’s vice-president, Vitorino Lunga Vicele, had threatened to take the matter to CAF and the Angolan judicial authorities, according to Goal South Africa.
Cardoso calms the situation after Lubango
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday 21 October 2026, Cardoso was keen to play down the incident. “There are two things I can say. Small things can become big when you give them too much attention. I think too much attention has been given to what actually happened. The second is that we were very well received and very well looked after, right up to the last moment when we took our flight home,” he said, according to Afrik-Foot.
The coach also placed the altercation in the context of football’s emotions. “Football has a lot to do with emotions; there were a lot of emotions. Sometimes emotions spill over, and we have already moved past that, and it will surely be a good game on Friday between people who respect each other,” he added, again according to Afrik-Foot.
The comments are aimed at easing tensions before a high-stakes match for the Pretoria club, who have not yet secured their place in the group stage.
A cup final on the cards
Cardoso makes no secret of the importance of the fixture. “This game is like a cup final for us, and we have played similar games week after week since the start of the season. We want to fight to reach the upper stages of the competition,” he told SABC News. The return leg in Pretoria therefore has the feel of a do-or-die match for the reigning champions.
Sundowns are indeed the reigning continental champions, having been crowned in May 2026, and have reached the Champions League group stage every single year since their first title in 2016. The South African club’s last elimination in the preliminary rounds dates back to 2008, SABC News recalls. A poor result on Friday would therefore be unprecedented in almost two decades.
What tie-break rule applies in the event of a draw?
Sources differ on the scenario of another draw. According to SABC News, a 0-0 draw in the second leg would lead directly to a penalty shootout to decide who qualifies. Afrik-Foot, for its part, cites the away goals rule: a draw with goals scored would instead see Wiliete qualify.
Caution is still warranted over the exact tie-break rule. For Sundowns, the most unfavourable scenario therefore remains a draw with goals scored, which would favour the Angolan club according to Afrik-Foot.