Mamelodi Sundowns have progressed to the CAF Champions League final for the second consecutive season after securing a 1-0 victory over ES Tunis in the semi-final, second leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The result confirms a dominant 2-0 win on aggregate for Sundowns, who had walked away with a 1-0 victory in the first leg at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi last Sunday. Historically, Masandawana have struggled against the Tunisian giants on their own turf, failing to secure a win against them since 2024. However, that record was finally put to bed as Miguel Cardoso‘s men showed tactical discipline to triumph in the tie last week.
The game’s defining moment arrived in the 35th minute. Sundowns’ talisman Bryan Lèon broke the deadlock from the penalty spot. Lèon was brought down by the ES Tunis goalkeeper inside the box following a reckless challenge, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.
The Colombian striker stepped up and found the back of the net after a rebound from the goalkeeper, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Cardoso’s charges were forced to retreat into a compact defensive block as a desperate ES Tunis hunted for a leveller before the break.
Despite several threats in the Sundowns’ final third, the visitors’ efforts were fruitless.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LEADING ES TUNIS AT HALF-TIME
Both sides went into the tunnel with the hosts leading the Tunisian powerhouse with a 1-0 scoreline at the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with the Bafana Ba Style controlling the match and looking to add to the scoreline.
However, as the clock ticked down, ES Tunis grew in confidence. The visitors began to nullify the hosts’ attacks while searching for a way to breakthrough Sundowns’ backline.
When the final whistle blew, the job was done: the Brazilians’ place in the Champions League final was officially confirmed
SUNDOWNS LOOKING AHEAD OF THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
With Sundowns having booked their place in the Champions League final, they now await the winner of the other semi-final clash between Moroccan rivals AS FAR and RS Berkane.
The deciding match between the two Moroccan sides is scheduled for tonight at 21:00 [South African time] at the Berkane Municipal Stadium. AS FAR head into the return fixture with a commanding 2-0 advantage in the first leg at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium last Saturday.
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