Rulani Mokwena Slams Mamelodi Sundowns' Miguel Cardoso for 'Clear Disrespect' in Touchline Altercation

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has strongly condemned the actions of MC Alger's Miguel Cardoso following a heated touchline incident during their CAF Champions League clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Mamelodi Sundowns clinched a crucial victory over the Algerian side, securing their spot in the knockout stages of the tournament with a composed performance under pressure.

However, the match was marred by a tense confrontation that erupted after Cardoso allegedly celebrated Sundowns' second goal inside the visitors' technical area.

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The celebration sparked a fiery exchange between the two benches, requiring the intervention of match officials and staff to restore order.

Speaking after the match, Mokwena criticised what he perceived as a double standard in how touchline behaviour is policed, arguing that the rules must be applied consistently to everyone.

"If Rulani had walked across to the opposition technical area, people would’ve made a hellabaloo about it," Mokwena stated in a post-match conference.

"The laws of the game prohibit any technical team member from moving across and past the fourth official to the technical area of the other team."

He labelled the action a clear violation of protocol and a sign of disrespect. He was firm in stating that he was not the one who escalated the situation, insisting the blame lay with the initial provocation.

"Questions for that type of behaviour should be posed to the person who did it," he explained. "He should answer for the provocation because it is provocation, and he should say what the point of that was."

Rulani Mokwena went on to congratulate Mamelodi Sundowns for their qualification to the knockout stage, noting that his team had lost very easy opportunities and their chances to qualify had been very slim heading into the match.

He acknowledged that his side gave away points very easily, especially in their matches against Saint Eloi Lupopo, Al Hilal and their home match against Mamelodi Sundowns.

“First congratulations to Sundown because I think in the end today they were the better side and they deserve to win. So congratulations to them and wish them all the best for the rest of the competition. But I think it wasn't just about today's game,” Rulani Mokwena added.

“I think we left it a little bit too late. We dropped a couple of points in some games. In Rwanda, we came back to put it at 1-1 and left some concentration to do that. At home, against Sundowns, we had a couple of chances. We should have won that game instead of taking a point, and that makes a bit of a difference.

“And then also, in some moments, we have some situations where we could have won, especially, or taken a point in Lopopo in Congo. But, okay, it's football. Lessons learned, and we move on.”

While Mamelodi Sundowns advance to the next round, the fallout from the touchline clash could draw attention from CAF, highlighting the intense pressures of high-stakes continental football that often spill over from the pitch.