Zamalek SC head coach Jose Peseiro has expressed his candid thoughts on the unfortunate violent incidents involving spectators during their quarterfinal clash against Stellenbosch FC.
During the goalless draw between Stellenbosch FC and Zamalek in the CAF Confederation Cup at the DHL Stadium on Wednesday, chaos broke out amongst the Royal Club fans, necessitating the intervention of police officers.
A similar situation took place at the Loftus Stadium during Mamelodi Sundowns' narrow victory over Esperance de Tunis in the first leg of the CAF Champions quarterfinals on Tuesday.
READ | Esperance to lodge complaint to CAF against Downs fans?
Additionally, regarding the event in Tshwane, some fans of Esperance had to be hospitalized for medical care, as stated by the club, which intends to file a report against the Brazilians to CAF.
Following the match in the Mother City, Peseiro condemned the violence, emphasizing that it is not good for African football.
"Okay, but was it a big problem? Okay, listen, it happened to my colleagues, about the game yesterday in Pretoria, what can I say? I don't like that, of course," Peseiro told the media.
A violent altercation erupted among Zamalek supporters and what appeared to be fellow Arab spectators in the stands at Cape Town Stadium during Stellenbosch FC's clash with the Egyptian side. @GOALcomSA | #CAFCC pic.twitter.com/ehlijQSesb
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"Football is a culture, its enthusiasm, football is the best, and sorry, but football is the best activity sport (in the world) in my opinion.
"But the sport, not only football, must be the example for everybody grown up like man, grown up like son, like father. If someone doesn't do this well, it's not good for football.
READ | TFF to intervene in Esperance Sundowns saga?"But the problem is not only in society, but in the world, okay? Sometimes people can meet for football, I think remember or put in mind what you must do, suffer, or frustration. But football can help people sometimes take frustration away."
Despite his dissatisfaction with the away results, Peseiro remains optimistic that Zamalek will overcome Steve Barker's team in the second leg next week in Cairo, noting that they will have a greater number of supporters backing them.
"I think that half of your job is going to Cain. For me, a draw is not good. I prefer to win," said the Portuguese tactician.
"Even in this competition, if you score a goal away, if you only suffer one, you pass. It's not like in Europe. The goal away, they don't care about the goal away.
"But It's not a bad result, but I prefer to win, that's the point. But I believe at home, in presence of our fans we can beat Stellenbosch.
"Like I said, we must improve our offensive process, our quality, because we have to be careful with this. You have players, you have to be careful."