Medeama have rrubbished allegations that they compromised the integrity of Wednesday's CAF Confederations Cup game with Mamelodi Sundowns in Sekondi by using unorthodox off-field tactics.

The Brazilians lost 2-0 in the away leg to the Ghana Premier League side, bowing out of the competition on away goals following their 3-3 aggregate scoreline.

Pitso Mosimane, coach of the visiting side, has been launching tirades at the Algerian match officials in charge.

“In CAF, for South African teams, it’s very difficult … those guys were cheating!” the Downs coach told SuperSport. “Everyone says it’s difficult for South African teams who don’t want to play football, but the referees were cheating – you saw that. How can we play? I mean really …

“I thought what happened to us in South Africa against AS Vita was bad, but this was unbelievable! We had people from Medeama coming to our bench and fighting us, and we had to fight back! It’s unbelievable. It’s a jungle.

“The new Fifa president has a lot of work to do in CAF. Africa is behind.”

In response, deputy spokesman of Medeama Patrick Akoto has blasted the allegations as untruths.

"Malicious and fictitious," he told Joy Sports. "We played better. And fully deserved the win. They treated us well in South Africa when we went over, and we were intent on doing same for them."

"It's sad that they would make such things up. Unfortunately he and his team came down feeling that they were going to beat a little Medeama side, and they were surprised. We are scandalised by his claims".

As for Mosimane, he was quick to defend his club against criticism that South African teams are unable to succeed in continental competition, believing unfair officiating is what ultimately cost the PSL champions.

“I’ll give my report to the club, and my team will decide what they want to do with these kind of games,” he continued. “It’s very difficult for South African teams – everyone accuses us of being soft and complaining about the pitch or travelling … no, we’re not complaining about any pitch or anything – it’s not in our hands.

“It’s terrible – two artificial set-pieces, the penalty and other free-kick … they had a chance to score in open play, but they couldn’t. These Algerian referees are unbelievable – and these are Fifa referees wearing the ‘fair play’ badge [on their sleeve]!

“What can we do as Sundowns?”

Sundowns will have another shot at continental competition next year, having qualified for the CAF Champions League by virtue of winning this season’s PSL title.

Medeama will know who their group stage opposition will be on Tuesday after the draw is done in Cairo.

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