Ugly scenes unfold at Loftus Versfeld after Mamelodi Sundowns beat Esperance

What was meant to be a great spectacle of African football, ended in ugly scenes at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday afternoon.

Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Espérance 1-0 in the CAF Champions League quarter-final, first leg, taking a crucial advantage to Tunisia for the return fixture next Tuesday. Peter Shalulile’s goal sparked wild celebrations among the Brazilians, while bringing agony to their opponents and their fans, who had passionately supported them throughout the game.

Such was the contrast in emotions between the two clubs that a scuffle broke out between their supporters after the final whistle. It was the visiting supporters who initiated the chaos by throwing objects onto the pitch, targeting Sundowns' supporters seated in the lower stands.

What could have been quickly controlled by stadium security, however, escalated into physical altercations between the rival fans. The Esperance fans, who had been prohibited by CAF from using lasers and flares, ignited them during the skirmish, while Sundowns' supporters retaliated using barriers.

The stadium announcer made repeated efforts to restore order, even calling for an Arabic-speaking individual to urge the visiting fans to halt their actions, in their native language.

The violence nearly took a turn for the worse when Sundowns' supporters, known as the Yellow Nation, pinned the ultras against the railiing of teh top tier. Fortunately no fatalities were reported.

Following these ugly scenes, CAF’s disciplinary committee will have their hands full as they deliberate on the incident and the logistics for next Tuesday’s fixture, which is scheduled to take place at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in Rades, Tunisia, where a hostile reception is sure to be the norm.