Coach hospitalised after alleged punch by Sundowns’ Komphela

According to reports, the drama took place on Sunday after Sundowns’ goalless draw against the Angolan side in a CAF Champions League qualifier.

African football reporters claim the incident might have been sparked by an alleged racial insult directed at Komphela, with the former Kaizer Chiefs coach responding with a punch on Bianchi.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS’ STEVE KOMPHELA ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN ALTERCATION

It is said the Brazilian coach, who joined the Angolan side in July, sustained injuries before he was rushed to a local hospital to receive urgent medical assistance.

The Wiliete SC coach subsequently missed the mandatory post-match press conference, where his assistant coach addressed the media and confirmed his hospitalisation.

“Wiliete SC coach Beto Bianchi was involved in a clash with Mamelodi Sundowns assistant coach Steve Komphela in Angola,” popular Ghanaian journalist Micky Jr reported on X. “Bianchi reportedly sustained injuries and was taken to hospital.”

The details of the incident remain unconfirmed. The claims against Komphela have yet to be fully verified.

CLUB AND CAF YET TO RESPOND

Neither Mamelodi Sundowns nor Wiliete SC has issued an official statement regarding the reported incident. CAF has also yet to announce any formal disciplinary investigation.

Further clarity is expected as more information emerges from Angola. For now, the allegations remain unconfirmed, with no official account establishing exactly what happened after the final whistle.

In the meantime, Sundowns are set to host the return leg in Tshwane this weekend. The game is scheduled for Friday, 23 October at the Loftus Versfeld, kick-off at 20:00.

POSSIBLE PUNISHMENTS

Should the allegations prove true and Komphela be found guilty, CAF could impose one of two punishments.

Immediate touchline ban: Under CAF laws, physical assault may result in an automatic red card.
Extended multi-match ban: Once the CAF Disciplinary Board evaluates the case under the CDC, standard suspensions for violent conduct or assaulting other officials/participants are steep. While minor misconduct or standard red cards usually trigger 2-to-4 match bans, physical assault typically incurs a minimum suspension of several months to a year, and extreme cases can result in multi-year or lifetime bans from all football-related activities.