Sundowns Secure Back-To-Back Champions League Finals With The Win Over Esperance
Mamelodi Sundowns have reached their second successive CAF Champions League final after defeating ES Esperance 1-0 on Saturday at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld.
The result sees the Brazilians progress 2-0 on aggregate after a controlled performance in Pretoria where they remained largely untroubled.
Espérance, who reached the 2024 final under current Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, were below their usual standards and rarely threatened, barely testing Ronwen Williams.
Sundowns effectively settled the tie in the first half when Brayan León—who scored in the first leg in Tunisia—found the net from the penalty spot.
It marks back-to-back final appearances for Sundowns, who finished runners-up last season. This time, however, they are considered strong favourites to lift a second continental title.
In the final, Sundowns will face the winner between Moroccan sides AS FAR and RS Berkane, with AS FAR holding a 2–0 advantage from the first leg.
The match in Pretoria was sold out, with Sundowns confirming two days prior that tickets had been snapped up for the high-stakes encounter.
Sundowns had already secured a 1–0 victory in the first leg in Radès, courtesy of León, although they finished that match with 10 men after Grant Kekana was sent off in the 84th minute.
His place in the starting line-up was taken by Khulumane Ndamane, who partnered Keanu Cupido in central defence.
Trailing on aggregate, the Tunisian side were forced to attack from the outset, knowing they needed goals to stay in the contest.
Sundowns created the first real chance when Tashreeq Matthews set up León, but the Colombian’s scuffed effort was saved by Bechir Ben Said.
The breakthrough came when referee Omar Artan awarded a penalty after León pressured Ibrahima Keita and Ben Said into an error, with the goalkeeper fouling him while attempting to clear the ball.
León stepped up to take the penalty. Although his initial effort was saved, he reacted quickest to score the rebound in the 35th minute, doubling Sundowns’ aggregate lead.
Espérance needed two goals to force a comeback, but breaking down a disciplined Sundowns side proved difficult.
Just before half-time, Mohamed Ben Hamida delivered a cross that found Florian Danho, whose effort struck the crossbar—much to Sundowns’ relief. Danho had also hit the woodwork in the first leg.
Sundowns remained in control throughout the second half, dictating the tempo and limiting Espérance’s attacking opportunities.
Marcelo Allende and Jayden Adams both tested Ben Said with quick successive shots, but the goalkeeper produced fine saves to deny them.
Substitute Iqraam Rayners also had a chance late on but fired wide from inside the box.
This marks the fourth time in Sundowns’ history that they have reached the Champions League final, having previously finished runners-up in 2001, won the title in 2016, and lost again last season.
