Mamelodi Sundowns have booked their place in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League after holding Espérance Sportive de Tunis to a goalless draw in the second leg of their quarter-final tie at the Olympic Stadium of Radès.
The South African side advanced 1-0 on aggregate, having secured a narrow victory in the first leg in Pretoria.
Despite a determined and energetic display from the Tunisian giants, including a disallowed goal by Achraf Jabri, ES Tunis were unable to overturn the deficit.
From the opening whistle, the home side signalled their intent.
Within two minutes, Youcef Belaïli’s curling free-kick found Mohamed Amine Tougaï, whose header was brilliantly saved by Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
It was the first of several moments where Tunisian pressure failed to translate into goals.
The decisive moment of the evening came in the 63rd minute when Achraf Jabri appeared to give ES Tunis the breakthrough they needed.
Latching onto a perfectly weighted ball from Raed Bouchniba, Jabri deftly chipped the onrushing Williams, sending the Radès crowd into a frenzy.
But after a lengthy five-minute VAR check, the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside. The decision stunned the home supporters and visibly deflated the Tunisian side.
ES Tunis continued to press, but Sundowns remained composed and disciplined at the back.
The visitors nearly snatched a goal themselves, with Lucas Ribeiro Costa going close from a 25-yard free-kick and Marcelo Allende rattling the crossbar with a fierce strike late in the first half.
Sundowns’ strategy was simple yet effective—protect their slender lead and punish any errors.
Their discipline and efficiency ultimately proved decisive as they stifled Espérance’s attacking efforts and managed the game with maturity.
For ES Tunis, it marks the end of their continental campaign and a bitter disappointment after last season’s run to the final.
Despite moments of promise and intensity, they fell short of finding the crucial goal that would have kept their hopes alive.
For Mamelodi Sundowns, however, the result underscores their growing reputation as one of Africa’s elite clubs.
The South Africans now move into the semi-finals, once again in contention for continental glory.
