Mamelodi Sundowns secure 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United amid controversy

Sekhukhune United    0

Mamelodi Sundowns 2

(Nuno Santos ‘91, Bryan Leon ‘94)

GOALS from Nuno Santos (91) and Bryan Leon (94) helped Mamelodi Sundowns to a 2-0 Betway Premiership win over Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday night.

That win may as well go a long way to keep head coach Miguel Cardoso and sporting director Flemming Berg at Chloorkop as it helped Masandawana reinstate their three points-lead at the top of the log.

However, the fact that the teams were still level 0-0 at half time would have unsettled the powers at Sundowns as they, and were it their home game, they surely would have gone on to beef up security before the second half started.

That is because of the incident on Friday night where the Sundowns technical team, including Cardoso and Berg were escorted out of Loftus Versfeld as fans were throwing missiles at them following the side’s frustrating 2-2 draw against Sudanese opponents Al Hilal in the Caf Champions League encounter.

From Friday there wasn’t much reaction from Sundowns up until Tuesday morning when they issued a media statement saying that they plan to initiate legal action against individuals implicated in an altercation.

The announcement was following the controversy that erupted after Sundowns’ frustrating 2-2 draw against Sudanese opponents Al Hilal last at Loftus Versfeld on Friday. 

In one of the viral footages that emerged from that chaos, a supporter is seen aggressively throwing water on Berg, a move interpreted as disrespectful and a direct attack on the integrity of the club’s management.

The unsettling visuals drew sharp criticism, with fans and stakeholders alike expressing their dismay at the behaviour exhibited towards club officials.

Sundowns issued a statement on Tuesday morning, emphasising that the club will not tolerate such actions.

"Mamelodi Sundowns condemn the behaviour and conduct of the few ill-disciplined supporters who were disrupting members of the Sundowns technical team as they were leaving the stadium after the Sundowns and Al Hilal match.

"Sundowns have always encouraged active supporter participation and engagement, which the club say must always be done with respect and courtesy.

"Mamelodi Sundowns will not tolerate any threats, illegal behaviour or intimidation by any of its supporters or fans at any of its matches. Appropriate legal or disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against those whose conduct is found to be illegal or contrary to the policies or rules of the Sundowns supporters.

"The players and technical team of Mamelodi Sundowns are focusing on retaining the League Title and successfully competing in all cup competitions. This can only be achieved with the support and encouragement of the Mamelodi Sundowns supporters."