Mamelodi Sundowns failed to progress to the CAF Champions League final after losing 1-0 to Esperance in the second leg of their semi-final.
CAF Champions League
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 0-1 Esperance (0-2 aggregate)
Date: 26 April 2024
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Sundowns made three changes from the 1-0 defeat in the semi-final first-leg, as Peter Shalulile was recalled alongside rare starts for Thapelo Maseko and Rivaldo Coetzee while Teboho Mokoena was not in the squad due to injury.
The Brazilians had a quick start as within the first two minutes Shalulile had a chance after going through at the near post but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Amanallah Memmich.
The hosts remained on the front foot and Maseko had a chance on 21 minutes with a flicked header in the box that sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
The game was halted just after that due to lightning and thunder, which also affected the power at the stadium and both set of players returned to their dressing rooms.
After just over an hour of delay, the two teams returned with a warm-up routine and after restarting, Masandawana continued to be the team asking questions.
Rulani Mokwena's charges came very close to breaking the deadlock shortly before the interval after Memmich made a stunning reflex save to keep out a free header from Shalulile.
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ES Tunis continued to absorb the pressure from the break but were dangerous on counter-attacks as just before the half-hour mark Raed Bouchniba broke the deadlock for the visitors and made it 2-0 on aggregate with a shot after going through in the box.
The Brazilians had nothing to lose with a double tactical change shortly thereafter, as Thembinkosi Lorch and Themba Zwane both replaced Mothobi Mvala and Bathusi Aubaas.
Masandawana had a sense of urgency after that and with seven minutes to go, Aubrey Modiba almost levelled matters on the evening with a looping shot from range that came off the crossbar.
The Brazilians opened up themselves to counter-attacks in the dying minutes as they committed numbers going forward and were almost punished Yassine Meriah forced a save out of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Esperance booked a spot in the final against Al Ahly, who thrashed TP Mazembe 3-0 in the other semi-final second-leg leg and by the same scoreline on aggregate.
The only positive for Sundowns on the night was qualifying for the FIFA Club World Cup next year thanks to Al Ahly beating Mazembe.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Kekana, Mvala, Coetzee, Mudau, Lunga, Maseko, Aubaas, Allende, Shalulile, Ribeiro
Subs: D.Onyango, Lebusa, Zungu, Lorch, Modiba, Zwane, Morena, Maema, Matthews
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