Mamelodi Sundowns have taken a positive step toward the semifinals of the CAF Champions League after they claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Esperance de Tunis at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium yesterday.
The quarterfinal, first-leg clash was decided by a goal early in the second half from Peter Shalulile, putting the Brazilians in control of the tie, but with a testing return game away to the Blood and Gold set for a week’s time.
The first half was a cagey affair, with neither side able to create any clear scoring chances. Sundowns had a couple of long-range efforts which either didn’t trouble Esperance goalkeeper Bechir Ben Sair, or were easy for him to handle.
At the other end, the visitors had a couple of promising moments when their press caught the hosts dawdling on the ball, but they weren’t able to truly prise open Sundowns’ defence and test out Ronwen Williams.
The Brazilians made a more determined start to the second half and were rewarded with a goal in the 54th minute. Lucas Ribeiro’s reverse diagonal cross into the box was headed into the danger area by Jayden Adams, and Peter Shalulile stabbed home just inside the near post at close range for 1-0.
