Mamelodi Sundowns secured a hard-fought victory against ES Tunis in Match Round 1 of the CAF Champions League, with Peter Taanyanda Shalulile proving to be the hero for the South African side. The match, held at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, saw both teams eager to kick off their continental campaign on a positive note.
The game started with high intensity as both teams looked to assert their dominance early on. ES Tunis, the reigning champions of the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1, showed their quality with some slick passing and quick transitions. However, Mamelodi Sundowns, known for their attacking prowess, also posed a threat with their fast-paced counter-attacks.
It was in the 54th minute when the deadlock was finally broken, and it was Peter Taanyanda Shalulile who rose to the occasion for Mamelodi Sundowns. The striker showcased his clinical finishing ability by converting a well-worked team move to give his side the lead. Shalulile’s goal sent the home crowd into raptures and swung the momentum firmly in favor of the South African outfit.
ES Tunis tried to respond and threw men forward in search of an equalizer, but Mamelodi Sundowns’ defense held firm. The Tunisian side created a few half-chances, but they were unable to find a way past the resolute Sundowns backline.
As the final whistle blew, Mamelodi Sundowns emerged as deserving winners, claiming a crucial three points in their quest for continental glory. The victory will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they look ahead to the next round of fixtures in the CAF Champions League.
Overall, it was a thrilling encounter between two quality sides, but on the day, Mamelodi Sundowns proved to be the more clinical team. Peter Taanyanda Shalulile’s brace was enough to secure the win for his side and leave the fans dreaming of further success in the competition.
Line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns
- Ronwen Hayden Williams (6.6)
- Khuliso Johnson Mudau (6.6)
- Gomolemo Grant Kekana (6.9)
- Lucas Matías Suárez Scalarea (6.9)
- Aubrey Maphosa Modiba (6.9)
- Marcelo Iván Allende Bravo (7.5)
- Teboho Mokoena (7.2)
- Lucas Ribeiro Costa (7.2)
- Jayden Oswin Adams (7.7)
- Thapelo James Morena (6.7)
- Peter Taanyanda Shalulile (7.2)
ES Tunis
- Béchir Ben Saïd (6.7)
- Rayed Bouchniba (6.5)
- Hamza Jelassi (6.9)
- Mohamed Amine Tougai (6.9)
- Mohamed Amine Ben Hmida (6.7)
- Yan Medeiros Sasse (6.9)
- Onuche Ogbelu (6.2)
- Khalil Guenichi (6.5)
- Abdramane Konaté (6.7)
- Mohamed Youcef Belaïli (6.9)
- Elias Mokwana (6.2)
Substitutions:
Mamelodi Sundowns
- Divine Lunga (Aubrey Maphosa Modiba, 46)
- Arthur de Oliveira Sales (Thapelo James Morena, 46)
- Thapelo Maseko (Peter Taanyanda Shalulile, 83)
- Bathusi Jurry Aubaas (Jayden Oswin Adams, 86)
ES Tunis
- Chiheb Jabeli (Yan Medeiros Sasse, 72)
- Houssem Teka (Abdramane Konaté, 72)
- Rodrigo Rodrigues Silva (Khalil Guenichi, 80)
Ball possession:
In a thrilling encounter between Mamelodi Sundowns and ES Tunis, the ball possession statistics tell a clear story of dominance. Mamelodi Sundowns commanded a staggering 80% of the possession, leaving ES Tunis with just 20% to work with. This control of the ball allowed Mamelodi Sundowns to dictate the tempo of the match and create numerous goal-scoring opportunities.
Mamelodi Sundowns showcased their attacking prowess with a total of 9 shots on target, 3 of which tested ES Tunis’ goalkeeper. Amongst the players, Teboho Mokoena stood out as the most active in front of goal, constantly threatening with his shots and creating headaches for the opposition defense.
On the other hand, ES Tunis struggled to make an impact in the final third, managing just 4 shots on target, none of which found the back of the net. However, Yan Medeiros Sasse was a bright spot for ES Tunis, leading his team in shots on goal and showing glimpses of his quality in the attacking third.
Overall, Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance in possession and clinical finishing proved to be the difference in this match, securing them a well-deserved victory. The fans were treated to an exciting display of attacking football, with Mamelodi Sundowns emerging as the worthy victors on the day.
Passes:
Mamelodi Sundowns dominated possession and passing accuracy in a thrilling match against ES Tunis, securing a convincing victory in the CAF Champions League encounter.
Teboho Mokoena showcased his midfield prowess for Mamelodi Sundowns with an impressive pass accuracy of 94%, completing 109 passes throughout the match. His precise distribution and vision were instrumental in controlling the tempo of the game and setting up numerous attacking opportunities for his team.
ES Tunis, on the other hand, struggled to match Mamelodi Sundowns’ passing precision, with Rayed Bouchniba registering a pass accuracy of 68% from a total of 19 passes. The lack of efficiency in their passing game hindered ES Tunis’ ability to maintain sustained pressure on their opponents.
Jayden Oswin Adams stood out for Mamelodi Sundowns with his creative spark, delivering 3 key passes that unlocked the ES Tunis defense and created goal-scoring chances for his teammates. Adams’ ability to find openings in the opposition’s defense proved crucial in breaking down ES Tunis’ resistance.
In contrast, Mohamed Amine Ben Hmida managed to provide only 1 key pass for ES Tunis, highlighting their struggles to create meaningful opportunities in the final third. The lack of creativity and incisiveness in their passing game limited ES Tunis’ attacking threat and allowed Mamelodi Sundowns to assert their dominance.
Overall, Mamelodi Sundowns’ superior passing accuracy and creativity proved to be the difference in this encounter, as they claimed a well-deserved victory over ES Tunis in the CAF Champions League match.
Defense:
In a closely contested match between Mamelodi Sundowns and ES Tunis, defensive prowess took center stage as both teams displayed resilience and tactical acumen in their backlines. ES Tunis emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, largely due to their dominant defensive performance highlighted by a staggering 8 interceptions and numerous crucial blocks.
The Tunisian side, led by the relentless Hamza Jelassi with 2 interceptions, disrupted Mamelodi Sundowns’ attacking rhythm with their astute positioning and timely interventions. Jelassi’s defensive partner was also solid, contributing 1 interception to further stifle the opposition’s advances.
On the other hand, Mamelodi Sundowns, though not as prolific in interceptions as ES Tunis, put up a valiant defensive effort with their leader in this category being Marcelo Iván Allende Bravo with 1 interception. The South African outfit managed to stay compact and organized, limiting the scoring opportunities for their opponents.
Lucas Matías Suárez Scalarea of Mamelodi Sundowns and Hamza Jelassi of ES Tunis each recorded 1 block, showcasing their commitment to putting their bodies on the line to deny goal-scoring opportunities. These crucial defensive actions proved vital in keeping the scoreline close and the outcome uncertain until the final whistle.
In conclusion, the match was a testament to the importance of strong defensive performances in shaping the outcome of football encounters. ES Tunis’ superior defensive display ultimately proved decisive, earning them a hard-fought victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in a thrilling encounter that highlighted the art of defending at its best.
Face-to-face:
In a highly anticipated matchup between Mamelodi Sundowns and ES Tunis, the clash was defined by intense face-to-face duels for the ball. The leaders in this aspect were Khuliso Johnson Mudau of Mamelodi Sundowns, engaging in 6 fierce battles, and Mohamed Youcef Belaïli of ES Tunis, involved in 7 confrontations.
The match was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams, with each player showcasing exceptional determination and skill in their pursuit of possession. Mudau’s tenacity on the field was evident as he took on his opponents in a series of hard-fought encounters, while Belaïli’s relentless pursuit of the ball demonstrated his unwavering commitment to his team’s success.
The face-to-face duels between Mudau and Belaïli added an extra layer of intensity to an already thrilling match, captivating the audience with their display of grit and determination. Both players exhibited a strong sense of competitiveness and a refusal to back down, making for a truly exhilarating spectacle for fans.
As the final whistle blew, it was clear that Mudau and Belaïli had left everything on the field in their pursuit of victory. Their exceptional performances in the face-to-face duels highlighted their importance to their respective teams and added an exciting dynamic to the match.
Overall, the showdown between Mamelodi Sundowns and ES Tunis was a compelling display of skill, determination, and sportsmanship, with Mudau and Belaïli emerging as standout performers in the intense face-to-face battles for the ball.
Fouls:
- Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns) at 22 minute
- Elias Mokwana (ES Tunis) at 66 minute
- Mohamed Youcef Belaïli (ES Tunis) at 90 minute
Yellow cards:
The last five games (including this match):
- Mamelodi Sundowns –
- ES Tunis –
Top 5 CAF Champions League scorers:
- Peter Taanyanda Shalulile (1, [])
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Next games:
- Mamelodi Sundowns will play with ES Tunis. April 08 at 19:00 (GMT), on Stade olympique Hammadi-Agrebi.
- ES Tunis will play with Mamelodi Sundowns. April 08 at 19:00 (GMT), on Stade olympique Hammadi-Agrebi.
