A possible reason has emerged for the unexpected clash between Steve Komphela and Wiliete SC coach Beto Bianchi in Angola, and it comes straight from the Sundowns assistant coach himself.

The incident took place after Sunday’s match. Bianchi was later taken to hospital wher ehe received medical attention. But what exactly happened during the confrontation remains unclear.

South African sports broadcaster Robert Marawa has however relayed Komphela’s account after speaking to him about the incident.

“He said, no matter how big your buffer is, his biggest weakness is disrespect and racism which he felt happened,” said Marawa on his show on Monday.

He added that Komphela was certain of what he heard: “He knows it happened because when he was being sworn at by this coach, he was swearing him in Portuguese and he says he knew exactly what he was saying.”

Marawa also made clear the words were too much for public airwaves: “I can’t repeat those words on national radio, unfortunately.”

According to Marawa, the moment Komphela felt most disrespected came when Bianchi spat at him. “He says he had gone for a top-up after the match,” Marawa explained, describing how Komphela had gone to monitor the players who were warming up.

“And the coach was waiting for him because a similar incident had happened at half time. So he waited for him and followed him to the tunnel.”

Marawa says Komphela admits he lashed out, but insists it was self-defence. “Steve admits that he lashed out because he had to protect himself, because this man had done a lot as far as disrespecting him,” Marawa said.

“He says he touched a nerve and that is what sparked the reaction. He says there is no other way for him to have reacted than to do what he did.”

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