Mamelodi Sundowns secured their place in the CAF Champions League final after defeating Esperance Tunis 1-0 in the second leg of their semifinal at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Pretoria. The South African club, coached by Portuguese manager Miguel Cardoso, dominated both legs of the tie with identical 1-0 victories.
Colombian striker Brayan Leon scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 35th minute, though he needed two attempts after Esperance goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said initially saved his first effort. Leon had also scored the only goal in the first leg in Tunisia, establishing himself as the key figure in Sundowns' semifinal triumph.
The victory represents redemption for Sundowns, who reached the final in 2025 but fell short of the continental title. Known locally as the "Brazilians," the Pretoria-based club will now have another opportunity to claim their second CAF Champions League crown, having previously won the competition in 2021.
Esperance Tunis, despite their elimination, demonstrated remarkable consistency in recent years. The Tunisian giants were finalists in 2024 and semifinalists in 2025, when they were also eliminated by Mamelodi Sundowns. Their failure to reach consecutive finals highlights the growing strength of South African football on the continental stage.
Sundowns' path to the final was methodical rather than spectacular. With a one-goal advantage from the first leg and home advantage in the return match, they controlled the tempo throughout the semifinal tie. Their dominance reflected superior preparation and tactical discipline under Cardoso's guidance.
RFI frames the story through a continental African lens, emphasizing Sundowns' redemption narrative after their 2025 final defeat and highlighting the consistency of Tunisian football despite elimination. The French outlet presents this as part of ongoing African football development rather than focusing on any particular national angle.
RTP emphasizes the Portuguese coaching connection, prominently featuring Miguel Cardoso's role in Sundowns' success and noting that both potential final opponents also have Portuguese coaches. This framing celebrates Portuguese tactical influence in African football as a point of national pride and expertise export.
The final opponent will be determined by the second semifinal between RS Berkane of Morocco and AS FAR Rabat, also coached by a Portuguese manager, Alexandre Santos. This match was scheduled for later the same evening, with the winner completing the final lineup for African club football's premier competition.
Sundowns' success under Portuguese coaching reflects a broader trend in African football, where European tactical expertise increasingly shapes continental competitions. Cardoso's appointment has proven instrumental in the club's sustained excellence at the highest level of African club football.