At Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns emerged 1-0 winners within the CAF Champions League quarterfinal first leg in opposition to Tunisian giants Esperance on Tuesday afternoon, capitalising on their dominance.
Peter Shalulile’s second-half strike proved decisive as Sundowns will head into the return leg on Tuesday subsequent week in Tunisia with a slender lead and benefit.
What can also be pleasing for Masandawana is that they’ve managed to maintain a clear sheet at house, which can even work of their favour within the return leg. An away aim within the second leg subsequent week will make issues a bit tough for Esperance, who got here right here to play for a draw.
Sundowns will really feel they’ve an enormous likelihood of progressing to the semifinal in opposition to a aspect that eradicated them on this version final yr and might want to keep away from defeat in Tunisia.
Esperance have been joyful to take a seat again and allowed Sundowns to have all of the possession whereas hoping to catch them in transition. It was clear from the primary minute that the Tunisians have been taking part in for a draw as they hardly provided little going ahead and have been compact of their defence.
Sundowns had accomplished nicely to cease any breakaway ball within the first half. Masandawana have been extra purposeful within the opening half however their decision-making within the remaining third allow them to down. They created few probabilities within the first half, however they have been restricted to efforts from distance, with Teboho Mokoena forcing two saves out of Esperance keeper Ben Stated, and went into the interval with the match in stability.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso made two modifications after the restart, bringing in Arthur Gross sales and Divine Lunga for Aubrey Modiba and Thapelo Morena.
Sundowns continued to dominate and their stress lastly paid off as they broke the impasse when Shalulile slotted house from a Lucas Ribeiro Costa supply to offer his aspect a deserved lead eight minutes after the interval.
That aim appeared to have spurred Sundowns as they continued to dominate and looked for a second to extend their lead.
Regardless of providing little going ahead, Esperance’s greatest likelihood got here after the hour mark when Ogbelu Onuche unleashed a shot contained in the field with Downs defender Lucas Suarez making a last-ditch block. That was the closest they got here to scoring as Downs keeper Ronwen Williams was diminished to a spectator in the course of the match and Elias Mokwana was saved quiet by Khuliso Mudau.
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