Mamelodi Sundowns put in a resilient showing to hold Esperance de Tunis 0-0 in the second leg of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal tie, played at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Tunis on Tuesday night, to secure a 1-0 aggregate victory.
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The Brazilians therefore avenged last season’s defeat in the semifinals of the same competition at the hands of the Blood and Gold, and they will next face off against reigning African kings Al Ahly of Egypt in in the penultimate round of this season’s tournament.
𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚 👆🟡
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 8, 2025
They are through to the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL semi-finals ⏭️#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/aceQMyWjge
Esperance got off to a strong start and very nearly levelled the tie in the opening minutes via Youcef Belali, but Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made an excellent save to keep his side ahead on aggregate.
The Tunisian hosts went on to dominate most of the first half, though Sundowns came on strong in the minutes before the break, with Lucas Ribeiro sending a curling effort just wide, while Marcelo Allende hit the crossbar with a well-struck drive.
The Blood and Gold introduced Achref Jabri and Chiheb Jebali at the start of the second half, as they sought a way back into the tie.
And they thought they had achieved exactly that just a couple of minutes past the hour mark when Jabri found the back of the net, but a VAR review ruled out the goal and kept the South African team ahead on aggregate.
Esperance threw everything they had at Sundowns in the final stages of the match, but Sundowns – organised by former EST coach Miguel Cardoso – were able to repel all advances and secure a famous aggregate triumph.
Our #TotalEnergiesCAFCL journey continues, we’re heading to the semi finals! 🌍🔥
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 8, 2025
ES Tunis 0️⃣ (0)➖(1) 0️⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns#Sundowns #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/SlFPIVfV6M
Esperance de Tunis 0
Mamelodi Sundowns 0
Mamelodi Sundowns won 1-0 on aggregate
ESPERANCE: Ben Said, Bouchniba, Jelassi, Tougai, Ben Hamida, Tka (Hamrouni 88’), Ogbelu, Konate (Jebali 46’), Yan Sasse (Mokwana 63’), Rodrigues (Jabri 46’), Belaili
SUNDOWNS: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Suarez, Lunga, Mokoena, Allende, Adams (Aubaas 73’), Ribeiro (Khoza 84’), Sales (Rayners 66’), Shalulile
