Mamelodi Sundowns Chaos as Sporting Director Escapes Through Back Door After Attack From Fans

Following Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2-2 draw with Sudanese giants Al-Hilal in a CAF Champions League match on Friday, chaotic scenes were witnessed at the match venue, Loftus Versfeld Stadium, in Pretoria.

Sundowns dropped crucial points when they could not hold onto their second half lead, having fought back to draw 1-1 in the first half, when Arthur Sales drew them level after a 15th minute goal from Al-Hilal’s Abdelrazig Omer.

Midfielder Teboho Mokoena then scored from a stunning long-range strike in the 64th minute but a defensive error allowed Omer to equalise for Al-Hilal who ensured a share of the spoils that leaves both sides on five points from three group stage games.

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While it is not so bad, given MC Alger and St Eloi Lupopo, who face off on Sunday have one point each, Sundowns fans used the opportunity to voice their frustration not just at coach Miguel Cardoso but at Sporting Director Flemming Berg.

Chants of "Pitso, Pitso” were heard in the stadium as fans called for the return of ex-coach Pitso Mosimane, who has been rumoured to be in talks with the club in recent weeks, and it did not end there as supporters attacked Berg.

According to South African outlet Times Live, Berg and Cardoso had to be whisked away through the back door after fans poured an identified liquid on the Sporting Director, whom they accuse of not running the club well.

Berg has turned into a figure of hate among a section of Sundowns fans as they claim his transfer strategy has taken the club backwards while they accuse Cardoso of implementing a style of play that is not attractive.

Cardoso did not comment on the incident but blamed his players for not utilising their opportunities while making defensive mistakes that allowed Al-Hilal to score what he described as “naive goals.”

“We were naive in how we conceded both the goals, I didn’t see any real opportunities to score from the opponent,” Cardoso said after the match. “But in this level of the Champions League against a team that is basically the national team of Sudan, you will be penalised if you are not strict.”

“We could have had our advantage but didn’t, so this is a result that leaves everything open for what we have ahead of us with three matches to play.”

Cardoso and his team have little time to feel sorry for themselves as they return to league action on Tuesday before travelling to Rwanda to take on Al-Hilal in the second leg on Friday.