'Sundowns called me and apologised'

Young Africans' president has cleared Mamelodi Sundowns of any malicious intent after a bus organised by the South African side for them broke down minutes after picking the team up from the airport earlier this week.

The Tanzanian side landed in South Africa on Tuesday morning, ahead of the crunch second leg of their CAF Champions League quarter-final on Friday.

Read: Yanga chief on support in SA: 'You saw against Marumo...'

However, Yanga's journey in Mzansi got off to an unfortunate start when the bus that was provided for them by Sundowns broke down shortly after the team departed OR Tambo International Airport.

It is understood that the Dar es Salam outfit was left stranded for a short while before alternative transport was arranged to take them to their team hotel.

Continental competitions are known to come with some off-field issues, with many players and clubs having complained about poor treatment, hostility, and mind games in foreign countries ahead of tournament fixtures in the past. 

However, Yanga president Hersi Said has since dismissed any conspiracy suggesting that their bus incident could have been orchestrated.

Speaking on the Metro FM radio programme Sports Night Amplified With Andile Ncube, Said explained: "I know Mamelodi Sundowns is the biggest team in Africa and we've got a lot of respect for them. I don't think they can do these cheap politics.

"For me, it's not something that they've done to disturb us.

"It's a malfunction of the car, it's a technical problem, and I don't think they encountered it when they were checking the bus.

"Rest assured, I'm very positive with the reception of Mamelodi Sundowns, I've got a very good relationship with the leaders of the club, as well as with some