Mamelodi Sundowns 1–0 ES Tunis: Brazilians edge tense CAF Champions League semi-final first leg in Pretoria

Mamelodi Sundowns took a slender but precious 1–0 advantage over ES Tunis in a cagey CAF Champions League semi-final first leg, edging a tactical contest in Pretoria built on control, discipline and one decisive moment.

• Mamelodi Sundowns will play with . , on .
• ES Tunis will play with . , on .

Mamelodi Sundowns

• Ronwen Hayden Williams (7.2)
• Khuliso Johnson Mudau (6.6)
• Kulumani Ndamane (6.9)
• Keanu Grégory Cupido (6.9)
• Divine Lunga (7.5)
• Jayden Oswin Adams (6.7)
• Thapelo James Morena (6.6)
• Teboho Mokoena (6.2)
• Tashreeq Matthews (6.7)
• Brayan León Muñiz (6.9)
• Arthur de Oliveira Sales (6.5)

ES Tunis

Substitutions:

Mamelodi Sundowns

• Arthur de Oliveira Sales (Marcelo Iván Allende Bravo, 57)
• Brayan León Muñiz (Iqraam Rayners, 78)
• Tashreeq Matthews (Monnapule Kenneth Saleng, 78)
• Thapelo James Morena (Kegan Johannes, 86)
• Jayden Oswin Adams (Bathusi Jurry Aubaas, 86)

ES Tunis

• Kouceila Boualia (Aboubacar Diakite, 59)
• Houssem Teka (Hamza Rafia, 69)
• Yan Medeiros Sasse (J. Diarra, 69)
• Florian Thomas Danho Séké (Koussay Maacha, 83)

Ball possession:

Rhulani Mokwena’s side dominated the ball with 58% possession and created the clearer chances, but had to withstand sustained pressure from the Tunisian champions before closing out a hard-fought win that leaves the tie delicately poised before the return leg in North Africa.

Passes:

### Sundowns control, but wasteful in front of goal

Defense:

From the outset, Sundowns imposed their trademark passing game, circulating the ball with patience and drawing ES Tunis into deep, compact defensive positions.

Face-to-face:

The hosts registered 14 shots in total, with 5 on target, yet for long spells they were frustrated by a well-drilled visiting back line. Brayan León Muñiz was the most active outlet in attack, constantly pulling wide and making diagonal runs in behind, and he led the match for attempts on goal, repeatedly testing the Tunisian defence even when clear openings were scarce.

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• Arthur de Oliveira Sales (Mamelodi Sundowns) at 45 minute
• Thapelo James Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns) at 49 minute
• Béchir Ben Saïd (ES Tunis) at 32 minute
• Aboubacar Diakite (ES Tunis) at 72 minute
• Onuche Ogbelu (ES Tunis) at 90 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Mamelodi Sundowns – W
• ES Tunis – D

Top 5 CAF Champions League scorers:

1. Ahmed Atef El Sayed (4, Pyramids FC)
2. Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan (3, Al Ahly)
3. Brayan León Muñiz (2, Mamelodi Sundowns)
4. Abdelrazig Yagoub Omer Taha (2, Al Hilal Omdurman)
5. Aboubacar Diakite (2, ES Tunis)

Line-ups:

Next games:

• Mamelodi Sundowns will play with . , on .
• ES Tunis will play with . , on .