Mamelodi Sundowns have put themselves in a strong position to reach the CAF Champions League final after securing a crucial 1-0 victory over Espérance Sportive de Tunis in the first leg of their semi-final clash played on April 12, 2026, in Tunisia.
The only goal of the match was scored by forward Brayan León in the 51st minute with a well-placed header, finishing off a cross inside the penalty area. The goal gave Sundowns a valuable lead, which they defended with great discipline until the final whistle.
The match was far from easy for the visitors, especially in the second half when the hosts increased pressure in search of an equalizer. However, Sundowns’ defense stood firm and managed to withstand numerous attacks. Esperance’s efforts were further frustrated when their goal was ruled out following a VAR review, which detected a foul in the build-up.
The situation became even more challenging for Sundowns after defender Grant Kekana was sent off in the 84th minute, forcing the team to finish the match with 10 players. Despite being a man down, they showed great composure to hold on to their lead.
This away victory gives Sundowns a significant advantage heading into the second leg in South Africa. They now need only a draw or another win to qualify for the final, while Esperance must secure a convincing victory to overturn the deficit.
With this result, Sundowns have clearly demonstrated their ambition to win the African title this season. If they maintain this level of performance and focus in the return leg, their chances of reaching the final are very high.
