Mamelodi Sundowns are chasing continental glory in Tunisia as they face Esperance in a crucial CAF Champions League tie on Saturday night. Sundowns are away from home to meet the North African side in Tunis in their semi-final first-leg contest. The Brazilians go to the former African champions looking to bag an away win. However, there are concerns from many South Africans and Sundowns fans who feel the team is now showing signs of fatigue.
Looking at the hosts, Esperance is banking on their home turf to unsettle and ensure Sundowns returns to Tshwane empty-handed. Esperance will bank on their impressive run in the continental showpiece as they defeated Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas in the previous stage.
Esperance vs Sundowns Match Details:
- Date: April 20, 2024
- Time: 9:00 PM SAST
- Venue: Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi, Tunisia
Esperance: Also known as the Blood and Gold, the hosts are looking for a win to reach the final as they will be crowned fifth time African champions. The 32-time Tunisian league champions are dubbed one of the toughest opponents for Sundowns but Rulani Mokwena’s men are no pushovers. The hosts are fresh having played last Sunday against Monastir, they drew 1-all.
Sundowns: The Brazilians reached this stage after beating Young Africans and their sights are set on bagging their second continental title. Having failed to go beyond the semis last season, losing to Morcco’s Wydad Casablanca on aggregate, Sundowns are fully aware of the demands of continental football. The side will also bank on their unbeaten run over the past three games in all competitions. The only concern is that the reigning league champions could lack freshness after playing against Moroka Swallows on Monday before their departure on Tuesday.
Esperance vs Sundowns Key Battles To Watch:
Ronwen Williams vs Houssem Tka: Williams has carried Sundowns’ hopes in the previous two knockout cup matches. He was in fine form against Yanga when he saved two penalties before repeating the same feat against the University of Pretoria. Taking a glance at the hosts, they will attack through Tka who netted a crucial penalty versus Mimosas.
Mothobi Mvala vs Yassine Meriah: The solid defender is slowly regaining his best form after an injury setback. The Bafana Bafana star will provide stability at the back for Sundowns because of his experience. Meanwhile, Esperance will pin their hopes on Yassine who is capable of causing trouble on a good day for the Tunisians. He also crucial goals for the hosts and his experience will be key for them.
Esperance vs Sundowns Head to Head:
Looking at the previous meetings between the two outfits, Sundowns and the Blood and Gold have only met twice with the Tunisians winning the last meeting 2-1, in the group stages of the very tournament in June 2017 in Tunis. The first leg had finished goalless in Tshwane three weeks earlier.
Esperance vs Sundowns Coaches:
Miguel Cardoso: The 51-year-old Portuguese mentor has been coaching mostly overseas and this is his first job in the continent. He was appointed in January this year as head coach of the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 side, thus replacing Tarek Thabet.
Rulani Mokwena: Mokwena was angered by referees when his men drew against Swallows as they dropped two vital points. The Soweto-born mentor targets his maiden Champions League trophy and having lifted the African Football League trophy last year, he is gunning for a top achievement. With his difficult-to-predict tactics, Mokwena will look to silence the hostile crowds in Tunis.
Esperance vs Sundowns What The Teams Said:
Rulani Mokwena: “I expect hostility and tough conditions. Espérance are a good team, they won yesterday in fact they drew 1-all against Monastir away in the domestic league on Sunday,” Mokwena said on Monday.
“I watched a little bit with Dayle Solomons (Downs’ performance analyst) but I have to first swallow, excuse the pun, the feeling I have after this Swallows game before analysing the Tunisians properly.”
Esperance vs Sundowns Fan Sentiments:
Masandawana are hopeful of bagging their second continental prize and because of the team’s experience, the fans are confident of sealing their passage to the final in the return leg. A clean sheet for the South Africans will be key as they look to wrap up the encounter in Tshwane.
Esperance vs Sundowns Prediction:
Based on Sundowns’ fatigue and heavy legs witnessed in the previous two or three meetings, Masandawana could lose this one. However, if Mokwena and his technical team can manage the legs and the game, they could be victorious.
Esperance vs Sundowns What’s Next:
Before facing Esperance in the second leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday next week, Sundowns will meet Sekhukhune United in the league on Tuesday night, April 23. Meanwhile, the Tunisians will be on a flight heading to Mzansi for the return leg.
Related: CAF Champions League: Mokwena Warns Sundowns To Expect Hostile Crowds In Tunisia