CAF Champions League
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-2 E.S Tunis
Date: 02 June 2017
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
African champions, Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a 2-1 defeat to Esperance in their CAF Champions League group stage clash.
The visitors broke the deadlock after just six minutes as Yassine Khenissi got beyond the Sundowns defence and rifled the ball home at Denis Onyango's near post.
However, the Sundowns gained control of the encounter and leveled matters in the 21st minute when Percy Tau broke into the box and teed up Sibusiso Vilakazi for the simple tap-in.
Tau had a lot of joy down the left flank and was Sundowns' biggest threat for most of the first half.
The home side nearly took the lead after 32 minutes through Tebogo Langerman, but the full-back's stinging effort from distance was parried away by Esperance shot-stopper, Moez Ben Cherifia.
Pitso Mosimane's continued to see more of the possession in the closing stages of the first half but they were finding it tough to carve out chances.
Sundowns were then dealt a blow on the stroke of halftime when Motjeka Madisha was forced off with an injury. He was replaced by Bangaly Soumahoro.
The home side picked up from where they left off in the first half, as the Tunisian continued to defend deep.
For all of their dominance, Sundowns were finding it extremely tough to break down Esperance's defence, while the visitors looked to grab something on the break.
Sundowns eventually carved out a chance in the 69th minute when Thapelo Morena played in Leonardo Castro, who blazed horribly wide from close range.
Esperance opted for a change after 80 minutes as Anice Badri made way for Edem Rejaibi as they looked to snatch a winner.
However, the home side were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute when Soumahoro committed a foul in the box. Khenissi stepped up and converted the spot-kick to seal the win.
Here's how they lined up:
Sundowns: 36. Onyango, 20. Ngcongca, 23. Madisha (Soumahoro 43'), 2. Nthethe, 4. Langerman, 13. Mabunda, 8. Vilakazi, 18. Zwane, 22. Tau, 27. Morena, 25. Castro.
