Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a 1-0 victory over Tunisian outfit Esperance at the Stade Olympique de Radès in the CAF Champions League semi-final first leg.

The South American scored his third goal of the elite African club championship on 41 minutes, capitalising on a brilliant through play from compatriot Rodrigo Rodrigues.

Sundowns custodian Ronwen Williams parried Sasse’s first attempt, but the midfielder responded quickly and tapped the loose ball into the net.

Sasse played for Wellington Phoenix reserves in New Zealand last year before joining Esperance, the four-time African champions.

His goal came shortly after Sundowns’ goal was rightfully called offside, Rodrigues struck the woodwork, and teammate Houssem Tka’s attempt was cleared off the goalline.

Sasse appeared to be on his way to another goal in the second half, but he was stopped by Grant Kekana’s last-ditch challenge.

Sundowns lacked attacking inventiveness, and it was defender Mothobi Mvala who came closest to tying the game with a drive that was wonderfully saved by 20-year-old Amanallah Memmiche.

It was Esperance’s tenth clean sheet in 11 Champions League games this season, and their last title came in 2019.

In other news, Egyptian titleholders Al Ahly edged closer to their seventh final appearance in eight seasons after a 0-0 draw in Lubumbashi against TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mazembe, who are in the semi-finals for the first time since 2019, squandered many clear-cut chances in either half before both clubs were on the verge of winning the first leg.

Ahly replacement. Mahmoud Kahraba dribbled into the Mazembe area after 86 minutes, but was stopped by a well timed block from Ernest Luzolo.

A couple of minutes later, defender Luzolo rushed forward for a corner, but his thunderous header went just wide.

Added time failed to create any additional chances, leaving Ahly as favourites to win the return encounter in Cairo on Friday, the same day Sundowns visit Esperance.

Despite the absence of numerous injured first-choice players, including goalkeeper Mohamed el Shenawy and regular scorer Hussein el Shahat, Egypt managed to finish the game successfully.

Mostafa Shobeir, the son of former Egypt shot-stopper Ahmed Shobeir, has been an effective stand-in for captain El Shenawy, keeping six Champions League clean sheets.

Mazembe were similarly restricted to a goalless draw at home in the quarterfinals before defeating Petro Luanda 2-1 in Angola.

Photo by Mehrez Toujani/BackpagePix