Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a 1-0 defeat to Esperance in the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final on Saturday night.
CAF Champions League
Result: ES Tunis 1-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 20 April 2024
Venue: Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi
Sundowns made two changes from their draw against Moroka Swallows, as they recalled Themba Zwane and Grant Kekana in places of Peter Shalulile, who dropped to the bench and Teboho Mokoena who was unavailable due to injury.
Esperance attacked the Brazilians from the wings and crosses into the box but the Brazilians were alert, particularly goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
The Tshwane played on counter-attacks and threatened on 18 minutes after Lucas Ribeiro Costa had a shot that was parried into the post by goalkeeper Amanallah Memmich but the Brazilian was marginally offside.
The game came to life after that and Sundowns thought they were ahead eight minutes before the break after Zwane tucked away a cut-back by Thembinkosi Lorch but the goal was chalked off for offside.
As the game opened up, Miguel Cardoso's charges nearly went ahead moments later after they hit the post and Divine Lunga had to clear a rebound off the line.
The hosts eventually broke the deadlock just before the halftime break after Yan Sasse went through on goal and scored from a rebound after Williams saved his initial chip.
Masandawana had the momentum towards the hour-mark as Zwane went through on on goal and his toe-poked shot by Memmich.
Rulani Mokwena eventually made attack changes in the closing stages, as Peter Shalulile replaced Zwane while Lorch and Costa were also withdrawn, as they were placed by Thapelo Morena and Thapelo Maseko.
Esperance defended in numbers in the dying minutes and Mothobi Mvala had a chance to equalise from range with a powerful shot that was saved by Memmich.
The Tunisian giants knew how to keep Sundowns at bay in the closing minutes and held on to a narrow win.
The second-leg will take place on Friday evening at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Kekana, Mudau, Mvala, Lunga, Modiba, Aubaas, Lorch, Allende, Zwane, Riberio
Subs: D.Onyango, Lebusa, B.Onyango, Mbule, Morena, Maseko, Maema, Shalulile, Maboe
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