Esperance fans attack Sundowns supporters in violent clash

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It was a bloody war between Mamelodi Sundowns and Esperance de Tunis supporters after the final whistle blew at the CAF Champions League quarter-final game in Loftus on Tuesday, 1 April.

The rival fans came to blows in shocking scenes that were posted on social media.

The home side beat their Tunisian counterparts 1-0 following a goal by Peter Shalulile.

VIOLENT CLASH BETWEEN SUNDOWNS VS ESPERANCE FANS�

According to various reports, Esperance fans kicked off a mob attack against a group of Sundowns supporters after their club lost to the South African rivals.

The heated and violent clash� – which began after the final whistle blew – saw fists and bottles fly, as well barricades that the Tunisian soccer supporters dismantled. The North African fans also lit flares, which they launched at their opposition.

According to Sowetan, police and security intervened, and a medical crew treated injured fans.

Spectators at the game claimed that the “unruly” Esperance fans – described as “hooligans” reportedly arrived at Loftus heavily intoxicated .

FANS DEMAND ‘ACCOUNTABILITY’

On the X platform, a Sundowns supporter, Lutic Molo Mosoane, called out match organisers for “poor planning and a lack of structure.”

In an open letter, the fan claimed that Esperance fans were not called to order for repeatedly starting brawls before the match even began, as well as smoking in no-smoking zones.

The fan even branded the free ticketing system a “disaster.”

He wrote: “Security presence was woefully inadequate.

“This was not merely a logistical failure. It was a leadership failure. It was a betrayal of the trust that supporters have [laced in the club, the Supporters Office, and the City

“It’s about accountability, safety, and dignity.”

The Sundowns supporter called on officials to conduct a full investigation into the incident, provide a briefing on safety strategy, and apologise to fans who were harmed.