Brayan Leon of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates scoring a penalty with teammates during the CAF Champions League 2025/26 semi final 2nd Leg match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Esperance at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on 17 April 2026 ©Samuel ShivambuBackpagePix
Saturday Apr 18, 2026. 17:11
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will appear in the final of the CAF Champions League for the second successive year after they defeated Esperance de Tunis 1-0 (2-0 on aggregate) at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Brazilians – runners-up to Pyramids FC in the CAFCL final in 2025 – triumphed in the second leg of their semifinal tie against the Blood and Gold thanks to a first-half goal from Brayan Leon, adding to their win in Tunisia last weekend.
Sundowns started conservatively, but gradually began to assert more attacking pressure, notably cutting through Esperance’s defence in the 20th minute when Tashreeq Matthews put Brayan Leon into space, but the Colombian’s strike from the left of the penalty area was palmed away by goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said.
Just over 10 minutes later Sundowns were awarded a penalty kick. Ben Said, in the process of trying to clear a throw-in from his own teammate, caught the high-pressing Leon in his midriff and left arm – leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.
Leon brushed himself off and took the penalty – his strike was superbly saved by Ben Said, but the rebound rolled right back to the Sundowns striker, who easily swept the ball home at the second attempt for a 1-0 lead on the day and 2-0 overall.
The Blood and Gold almost pulled a goal back in the 41st minute, with Yan Sasse driving a cross from the left of the penalty area that deflected off the hip of teammate Florian Danho and hit the crossbar.
The second half saw Sundowns mostly opt for control of the game through possession, though they retained a goal threat – notably drawing two sharp saves from Ben Said within a few seconds of each other, as both Marcelo Allende and Jayden Adams hit efforts on target from long range in the 75th minute.
More than anything, the Brazilians did a great job of neutralising Esperance’s attack – with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams not called upon to make any notable interventions
Sundowns’ opponent in the final – set to be held across two legs in May – will be decided this evening when ASFAR (who hold a 2-0 lead) play away to fellow Moroccan club RS Berkane.
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Leon 35’)
Esperance de Tunis 0
Sundowns won 2-0 aggregate
Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Ndamane, Cupido, Lunga, Mokoena, Adams (Aubaas 86’), Matthews (Saleng 78’), Morena (Johannes 86’), Sales (Allende 57’), Leon (Rayners 78’)
Esperance: Ben Said, Keita, Konate, Jelassi, Boualia (Diakite 59’), Tougai, Yan Sasse (Diarra 69’), Danho (Maacha 83’), Ben Hamida, Tka (Rafia 69’), Ogbelu