Super Sundowns reach Champions League semifinals

Mamelodi Sundowns are through to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League following a goalless draw against Espérance at Stade Hammadi Agrebi in Rades.

The Brazilians edged the overall two-legged tie 1-0 on aggregate following a narrow win at Loftus Versfeld last Tuesday. 

On that occasion, Peter Shalulile scored the solitary goal to give Sundowns the win, and it proved to be enough to help them advance to the last four.

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They will play defending champions Al-Ahly in the next round of Africa’s premier club competition. The Egyptian giants beat Al-Hilal of Sudan 2-0 on aggregate to set up a mouthwatering clash against Masandawana later this month. 

Sundowns under pressure

Esperance made their intentions clear as early as the second minute when they nearly took the lead through Mohamed Tougai. The defender got his right foot on the end of a free kick played inside the box by Youcef Belaili, but Rowen Williams produced a brilliant save to deny him. 

The Blood and Gold were not as passive as they were in Tshwane. They took the initiative and pressed very high in the opening few minutes of the game. With Sundowns leading 1-0 from the first leg, Esperance were desperate to get back on level terms. However, the South African champions were not overawed by occasion, and defended well to keep four-time champions at bay. 

Masandawana ended the first half in strong fashion and were unlucky not to go into the break with a lead. Lucas Ribeiro drifted inside from the right, and his curling shot went inches wide of goal in the 43rd minute. 

Allende hits the woodwork

On the stroke of half time, Marcelo Allende hit the crossbar from 25-yards out with Esperance goalkeeper Bechir Said well-beaten. Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso would have been happy with his charges as the goalless scoreline favoured his team.

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Esperance thought they had taken the lead through Achref Jabri in the 68th minute, but after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside. The referee added nine minutes at the end of regulation time and the Tunisians threw everything at the 2016 champions, who managed to keep a clean sheet.