Mamelodi Sundowns took a crucial step toward the CAF Champions League semifinals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Esperance de Tunis at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
The decisive moment came in the 54th minute when Peter Shalulile reacted quickly inside the box to score the only goal of the match, giving the Brazilians a vital advantage ahead of the second leg in Tunisia.
The first half was a tight, tactical battle, with neither side able to create clear chances. Sundowns tested Esperance goalkeeper Bechir Ben Sair with a few long-range efforts, but he handled them comfortably.
The Tunisian side, meanwhile, had opportunities when pressing high but failed to truly trouble Sundowns’ shot-stopper Ronwen Williams.
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After the break, Sundowns raised their attacking intensity and found the breakthrough. Lucas Ribeiro delivered a precise diagonal cross into the box, which Jayden Adams nodded into the danger area, Shalulile reacted first stabbing the ball home from close range to hand his team the lead.
Shalulile celebrating with his teammates. Photo Credit: X
The remainder of the game saw both sides engage in physical battles, with play often interrupted by aggressive duels. Sundowns, however, managed to maintain their composure and disrupt Esperance’s attacking flow, securing a crucial victory.
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The decisive second leg will take place on Tuesday, April 8, at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Tunis, where Sundowns will look to complete the job and book their place in the semifinals.
