Mamelodi Sundowns took a vital step towards the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League semi-finals with a gritty 1-0 victory over Esperance de Tunis in their quarter-final first-leg clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday night.
It was Peter Shalulile who proved to be the hero, striking in the 54th minute after a brilliant headed assist from Jayden Adams, sending the Brazilians’ faithful into wild celebration.
The match was a tense battle from the outset, with both teams testing each other’s defenses in an evenly contested first half. Teboho Mokoena came closest for Sundowns in the 16th minute, forcing a superb save from Esperance keeper Béchir Ben Saïd with a powerful long-range strike.
The four-time African champions, Esperance, looked threatening on the counterattack, but Yan Sasse and Youcef Belaïli couldn’t find a way past Ronwen Williams, who commanded his area with authority.
The decisive moment arrived just after the break when Adams leapt highest to flick a cross into the path of Shalulile, who made no mistake from close range.
Doing what he does best! ⚽️🕺#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/Z9512vE731
— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) April 1, 2025Esperance pushed forward in search of an equalizer, making attacking substitutions late on, but Sundowns’ defensive discipline held firm. Frustrations boiled over in stoppage time as Belaïli was booked, summing up the Tunisians’ difficult night.
With a crucial clean sheet at home, Rulani Mokwena’s men now take a slender but significant advantage to Tunis for the return leg, knowing that a draw will secure their spot in the CAF Champions League semi-finals.
The tie remains on a knife’s edge, but Sundowns have put themselves in the driving seat as they chase continental glory.
