Mamelodi Sundowns striker Brayan Leon scored the decisive rebound after his penalty was saved, as Sundowns controlled the game with discipline to book their place in the final.
The decisive moment came in the 34th minute. Brayan Leon was brought down inside the box by Esperance goalkeeper Ben Said, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
LEON STRIKES AS SUNDOWNS TAKE CONTROL
The Colombian stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort was saved. However, he reacted quickest to the rebound and fired home to give Sundowns the lead on the night and put the tie beyond Esperance.
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The Tunisian champions nearly pulled one back against the run of play when Yan Sasse broke free down the left flank and delivered a dangerous cross into the box. The ball deflected off Florian Danho and crashed against the crossbar, with Ronwen Williams left flat-footed but spared.
With Esperance pushing for an equaliser in the second half, coach Miguel Cardoso responded by tightening the midfield, withdrawing Arthur Sales and introducing Marcelo Allende to help manage the pressure.
Sundowns still looked dangerous going forward despite their aggregate lead. With 20 minutes left, Khuliso Mudau drove forward and picked out Jayden Adams, but his first-time effort was blocked inside the box.
Cardoso later made two more changes for the final stages, with Leon and Matthews sacrificed as Iqraam Rayners and Monnapule Saleng came on to close out the match.
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KABO YELLOW SEE IT OUT AND EYE CONTINENTAL GLORY
Sundowns managed the closing stages with calm control, shutting down Esperance’s final push and protecting their clean sheet across both legs.
Sundowns now move into the CAF Champions League final, where they will face the winner of the all-Moroccan semi-final between AS FAR Rabat and RS Berkane. AS FAR take a 2-0 lead into the second leg away to Berkane, who will be aiming for a comeback on home soil to reach the final.
DO YOU EXPECT SUNDOWNS TO FINALLY BECOME AFRICAN CHAMPIONS FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE 2016?
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