Rades, Tunisia – Mamelodi Sundowns achieved a valuable away victory against Esperance with a score of 1-0, in the match that brought the two teams together on Sunday evening at the Hammadi Agrebi Olympic Stadium in Rades, as part of the first leg of the African Champions League semi-finals.
The only goal of the match came in the 51st minute through Brian Leon, after he took advantage of a perfect cross from Juliso Modao, turning it into a powerful header into the net.
ماميلودي صنداونز يفاجئ الترجي الرياضي بهدف في شباكه ⚽️
هل يرد الترجي سريعًا؟ #دوري_أبطال_إفريقيا pic.twitter.com/VPyCzkXvh4
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) April 12, 2026Esperance tried to come back, with Aboubacar Diakhaté scoring the equalizer in the 65th minute with a header, but the referee cancelled it after consulting VAR, claiming there was a foul in favor of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams following a challenge from Hamza Jelassi.
In the 85th minute, Sundowns player Gomolemo Kekana was sent off after a strong tackle on an Esperance player, leaving the South African team to finish the last minutes with ten players.
The remaining minutes passed amidst intense attempts by the home team, but they failed to change the score, and Sundowns decided the match in their favor, achieving their first victory over Esperance at the Rades stadium.
With this result, Sundowns put one foot in the final, before the return leg scheduled for Friday, April 17, to officially secure qualification.
