Mamelodi Sundowns have one foot firmly in the final, now they’ll be aiming to plant the other when they host Esperance Sportive de Tunis in the decisive second leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final.
The return clash is set for Saturday, 18 April at Lucas Moripe Stadium, with kick-off at 15:00.
Backed by home support in Tshwane, the Brazilians carry a slender but invaluable 1–0 advantage after a gritty first-leg victory in Tunisia.
It was a night of resilience at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi, where Miguel Cardoso’s side stood firm in a hostile atmosphere, with Brayan Leon delivering the decisive strike.
That result has placed Sundowns in a strong position, but the mission is only halfway complete.
Now on home soil, Sundowns will look to finish the job and secure a place in their second consecutive Champions League final.
The club, crowned African champions in 2016 under Pitso “Jingles” Mosimane, are chasing a second continental star, and momentum is on their side.
For Cardoso, the stakes are equally personal. Having fallen short in last season’s final against Pyramids FC, the Portuguese coach is determined to go one step further this time.
Should Sundowns advance, it would mark a third consecutive final appearance for Cardoso across different teams, a remarkable feat that underlines his pedigree on the continent.
Yet despite their advantage, Sundowns know better than to relax.
Espérance, under Patrice Beaumelle, will arrive in Tshwane with everything to play for.
Their unbeaten run only came to an end against Sundowns, and a response is expected from a side with proven pedigree. The Tunisians demonstrated their quality by eliminating record champions Al Ahly in the quarter-finals, a warning that they remain a serious threat.
With attacking weapons such as Aboubacar Diakité, Chiheb Jbeli, and Moez Haj Ali, Espérance possess the firepower to turn the tie on its head at any moment.
An early goal would go a long way in silencing the crowd, and from that point, anything can happen. The Brazilian will be cautious, of course, but will also be keen to exploit any opportunities to kill off the tie.
Prediction: Sundowns to win and BTTS at 44/10
All signs point to a high-stakes, hard-fought encounter, one where Sundowns must balance composure with ambition. The final is within touching distance, but one last push is needed to cross the line.
Their experience over the past few seasons at this stage of the competition makes them slight favourites. However, an opponent just as experienced can never be underestimated.
Cardoso and his charges might have made the job a bit easier for themselves away from home, but it remains far from straightforward heading into the final push.
By Sthembiso Nkabinde