With the international break over, it was time to return to the domestic circuit of games around the world. In terms of the continent of Africa, the main attraction was the 1st leg of the CAF Champions League quater-finals. Every single tie went untroubled and without a hitch. However, there were fan clashes when South African side, Mamelodi Sundowns and Tunisian side, Espérance de Tunis faced each other.
Mamelodi Sundowns played Esperance on Tuesday in the first leg of the CAF Champions League outing staged at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Masandawana won the game by a solitary goal scored by Peter Shalulile after some fine work from Lucas Ribeiro and Jayden Adams. However, it didn't end well as both sets of fans were involved in hooliganism after the game.
Videos circulating on social media depict malicious damage to the stadium and the Mamelodi Sundowns supporters retreating from violent conduct that was initiated against them, including flares and pepper spray when the incident started.
Mamelodi Sundowns will co-operate with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in its investigation into the violence that unfolded after the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Esperance de Tunis at Loftus on Tuesday.
Downs, as the home side, said they apologised in the spirit of, "our African culture of compassion," though they alleged the evidence pointed to Esperance supporters initiating the incident.
"Sundowns await a full report from the match commissioner and are committed to co-operating with Caf to finalise its investigation ahead of the return leg."
"Esperance de Tunis is a respected sports institution in Africa and we trust that once all the evidence is reviewed, our brothers and sisters at Esperance will also denounce this behaviour and take the necessary steps to ensure the next encounter is one where all supporters feel safe and welcome."
"We are confident the investigation will identify the circumstances that gave rise to the unruly behaviour."
"However, in accordance with our African culture of compassion and empathy [the African culture of ubuntu] we are required to apologise to Esperance de Tunis and its supporters as the unruly behaviour took place at our home stadium, despite the videos and facts indicating that the Sundowns supporters did not initiate the unruly behaviour."
Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) condemned the behaviour of football fans after three coaches were damaged with permanent markers and stickers in Rosebank. The fans, who were going to Pretoria, allegedly damaged the coaches attached to two trains while they were in Rosebank on Tuesday.
The incident forced the Gautrain to reinforce security to make sure the return trips were protected. "The behaviour of some of the fans was disappointing and completely out of line with the values we uphold," said GMA spokesperson, Albi Modise.
The GMA, in line with its commitment to support the Gauteng province's strategy of rebuilding the economy through big sporting events, had offered free Gautrain services (train and buses) for the Caf Champions League quarterfinal first leg between Mamelodi Sundowns and Esperance de Tunis at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Modise said that upon arriving at Rosebank Station, on their way to Pretoria, a number of football fans began plastering stickers on the walls and windows of the train.
When asked to stop, some of them responded in a threatening manner towards the staff, prompting security personnel to intervene.
"Additionally, these fans were seen smoking and drinking alcohol on the train, in direct violation of Gautrain rules. Three coaches (attached to two trains) were damaged with permanent markers and stickers placed," he said.
They had to request reinforcements from the police, provincial traffic cops and crime wardens. The deployment was a relief, especially when they had to ensure that these fans were searched upon re-entry into the system at Hatfield.
"Some fans had stones in their pockets, and about 10 to 15 police officers were deployed to support our security personnel in the train,” Modise said.
Modise said the Gautrain system has established itself as a symbol of reliability and civility, providing a safe and orderly environment for all passengers.
He said the passengers, who come from various walks of life, have embraced a culture of mutual respect and consideration. "The behaviour that we witnessed yesterday is in stark contrast with the norm."
He added that their actions not only tarnished the experience for other passengers but also marred the reputation of the larger community of football enthusiasts, who are typically passionate and spirited in a positive way.
He said GMA condemned the behaviour and remained committed to maintaining the high standards of respect and civility that their customers expect and deserve.
Siboniso Masango does not think he is a hero for saving a desperate Esperance de Tunis supporter who was clinging to a railing for his life at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday.
There was a beautiful silver lining to some ugly scenes as supporters clashed violently after the match in which Peter Shalulile's 65th-minute strike secured Sundowns a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarter-final.
Sundowns supporters and media who witnessed the events accused Esperance fans of breaking down barriers and initiating violence by throwing missiles, though official blame hasn't been apportioned.
A video has gone viral of, among the chaos in the top stand at Loftus, a Sundowns supporter rushing to the aid of an Esperance fan who had fallen off the corner of the east stand and was clinging to a railing on the north stand at Loftus, and helping him to safety.
He said the Tunisian fell from one stand and, after shimmying across, clutched at the railing of the other.
"As the Esperance fans were running away there was a mini-stampede among themselves. Amid that the guy fell over, or got pushed over somehow. That’s where we saw him hanging."
Masango acted on instinct but initially the Tunisian was afraid of his intentions. "I ran over, immediately tried to help the guy. He initially actually thought I wasn’t there to help, he thought I was there to push him off."
On being called a hero, Masango said: "I heard that. I was just doing what anybody would do if they saw someone about to lose their life. I don’t think that was a heroic thing. If someone's about to lose their life I don’t think we should all just look at them."
Masango said 'Christian' couldn't stop thanking him. "He and I had a moment afterwards. Immediately he started crying on my shoulder, I started crying back. He was just so, so grateful."
The Esperance supporter took Masango’s contact details and said he, "will message me when he gets back to Tunisia."
The second leg of the quarterfinal is in Rades, outside Tunis in Tunisia, on Tuesday.
I have never been a fan of hooliganism. It's a terrible thing to happen. Fans should go to a match/es and enjoy themselves without having to worry about any threat of violence. In addition, there was no valid reason for the vandalism. Just because you're excited for a match, it doesn't mean that you have a free range of whatever you feel like doing. Rules and regulations still exist. It never magically disappears for a football match.