Mamelodi Sundowns secured a narrow but significant 1-0 victory over Espérance de Tunis in the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final, with Brayan Leon’s decisive strike separating the two sides in a tightly contested encounter.
Despite the positive result, head coach Miguel Cardoso was candid about the challenges his team faced during large stretches of the match, particularly in controlling possession and dictating the rhythm of play.
“The match was what I expected,” former Esperance coach Cardoso said. “The possession was not exactly what we wanted, so I think we were not, in certain moments, able to establish the play.
“I think we had to give an answer in terms of tactical approach, and after we lost Grant, obviously the game became trickier and the intention was to close it to the last stages and keep the result.”
The breakthrough came through Brayan Leon, whose composure in front of goal proved decisive in a match where clear chances were limited and both sides prioritised structure over risk.
Sundowns now carry a slender advantage into the second leg, where Espérance will be expected to intensify the pressure in search of a response on home soil.
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