Mamelodi Sundowns demonstrated their tactical discipline and resilience, securing a valuable 1-0 victory over Tunisian giants Espérance Sportive de Tunis in a tightly contested CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The packed Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane bore witness to a strategic affair decided by a moment of brilliance in the second half.
Espérance de Tunis head coach Maher Kanzari attributed his side’s narrow defeat to a momentary lapse in concentration, suggesting that the contest was otherwise evenly matched.
Read: Sundowns take goal and clean sheet to Tunisia for second-leg showdown with Esperance
The Tunisian outfit traveled to South Africa with aspirations of securing a positive result but were ultimately undone by a clinical finish from Peter Shalulile.
The solitary goal provides Miguel Cardoso’s Mamelodi Sundowns with a crucial advantage heading into the return leg. The Brazilians will be eager to capitalize on this lead and avenge their painful semi-final exit at the hands of the same Tunisian side last season.
Speaking to SABC Sport after the match, a reflective Maher Kanzari acknowledged the closely fought nature of the encounter. “It was a very tactical game,” he stated, highlighting the strategic approaches employed by both teams.
“…both teams they were no kind of clear-cut occasion either for Sundowns or for Esperance.” Nevertheless, the fifty-two year old lamented the decisive moment, adding, “But you know, at some point there like (a) lack of concentration, and they scored a goal.”
Despite the setback, Kanzari remained optimistic about his team’s chances in the return fixture, expressing his hope that they will “do the job and get through.”
With a slender but significant lead in hand, Masandawana now prepare for the crucial second leg in Tunisia next week. A resolute defensive performance on April 8th, 2025, could see them advance to the CAF Champions League semi-finals, fulfilling their ambition of overcoming last year’s disappointment.
Notably, this triumph marks a watershed moment for Miguel Cardoso, as he becomes the first Mamelodi Sundowns coach to record a victory against Espérance de Tunis, etching his name into the club’s history books. Furthermore, the return leg will see Cardoso face his former employers, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the decisive encounter.