In a tense and tactical affair at Stade de Radès, Espérance de Tunis secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final clash. The solitary goal of the match came from Yan Sasse in the 41st minute, and the Blood and Gold held on for a crucial win in front of their passionate home crowd.
A Cautious Start
The opening 30 minutes of the match were a cagey affair, with both teams taking their time to settle into the game. Espérance de Tunis looked to exploit the flanks, while Mamelodi Sundowns were content to sit back and defend before hitting on the counter. The first real chance of the match came in the 37th minute when Sundowns thought they had taken the lead, but the goal was ruled offside. Just minutes later, Espérance de Tunis responded with a strike of their own, with Rodrigues' effort rattling the post.
Sasse Breaks the Deadlock
The breakthrough came in the 41st minute when Yan Sasse capitalized on a clever pass from Rodrigues to fire the ball past Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. The goal sent the home crowd into raptures, and Espérance de Tunis went into the half-time break with a one-goal advantage.
Sundowns Push for an Equalizer
Mamelodi Sundowns came out firing in the second half, determined to level the score. They created several chances, but Espérance de Tunis' defense held firm, with goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche making a number of crucial saves. Sundowns were very close to an equalizer in the 59th minute, but Espérance de Tunis managed to clear the ball away in the nick of time.
Heroic Defending Secures Victory
In the final 20 minutes of the match, Sundowns continued to press, but Espérance de Tunis refused to yield. The Blood and Gold defended heroically, throwing their bodies on the line to block shots and prevent Sundowns from finding a breakthrough. In the end, Espérance de Tunis held on for a well-deserved victory, giving them a precious lead heading into the second leg in Pretoria next Friday.
A Crucial Step Towards the Final
This victory is a massive step for Espérance de Tunis in their quest to reach the CAF Champions League final. They have shown great character and resilience to hold on to their lead against a strong Sundowns side. However, they know that the job is not yet done. They will need to be at their best in the second leg to secure their place in the final.
Espérance Lineup : Memmiche, Ben Ali (Bouchniba 83'), Ben Hamida, Meriah, Tougaï, Aholou, Chaâlali(c) (Ogbelu 66'), Tka (Ayeb 83'), Ghacha (Bouguerra 83'), Sasse et Rodrigues (Ben Hammouda 90'+2).
Yellow Card : Tougaï.