Mamelodi Sundowns Comments about Supporters Unruly Behavior in their CAF Match

(The Post News)- Mamelodi Sundowns hosted Espérance de Tunis in their first leg of the CAF Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday, April 1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Peter “Sniper” Shalulile gave Masandawana a 1-0 victory over Tunisia, blasting at the visitors’ goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said from close range.

There were fights among the spectators at the grand stand after Sundowns won the match. Violence broke out as rival supporters tossed plastic bottles at one another. Social media videos show the stadium being maliciously damaged and the Mamelodi Sundowns fans fleeing violent actions that were started against them, including the use of pepper spray and flares at the beginning of the event.

On social media, Sundowns stated that it is eager to get a comprehensive report from the Match Commissioner and is dedicated to working with CAF to complete its inquiry before the return leg.

“After reviewing all the evidence, we have faith that our brothers and sisters at Espérance de Tunis, a reputable sports organization in Africa, will condemn this behavior as well and take the required actions to guarantee that all fans feel safe and welcome at the next match”, stated the statement on Facebook.

It went on to say that they are sure the inquiry will pinpoint the events leading up to the disruptive activity.

“But, in keeping with our African culture of empathy and compassion (our African culture of Ubuntu), we must apologize to Espérance de Tunis and its supporters because the disruptive behavior occurred at our home stadium, even though the facts and videos show that the Sundowns supporters did not start it,” concluded Sundowns statement.

One Sundowns supporter was spotted rescuing a Tunisian from a potentially fatal situation in the grand stands despite the fights at the stadium. This alone stems back to Pitso Mosimane’s post match interview. Where he indicated that the North African clubs detest losing, when they lose they become arrogant and belligerent. 

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Phishego Mathipa

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As a journalist, my mission is to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities and bring truth to the forefront through honest, responsible reporting. Whether covering politics, sports, and/or social issues. I remain committed to accuracy, integrity, and the power of storytelling to drive change. Journalism is not just about headlines it’s about humanity.

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