Sunday’s CAF Champions League semi-closing first leg between Mamelodi Sundowns and Espérance de Tunis will see Miguel Cardoso go to his former team in Radès.
In all chance, it was Cardoso’s residence and away wins over Rhulani Mokwena’s Sundowns within the 2023-24 semi-finals with Espérance which acquired him the pinnacle teaching job at Chloorkop.
Cardoso was on the profitable facet once more when his Sundowns confronted Espérance in final season’s quarter-finals. This fixture subsequently carries optimistic recollections for the Portuguese tactician on both facet of the dugout, however this competitors carries two that are notably painful.
In 2023-24, Cardoso’s Espérance misplaced the Champions League closing to Al Ahly. In 2024-25, his Sundowns beat Ahly within the semi-finals, however misplaced within the closing to Pyramids FC.
Off the again of two straight defeats to Egyptian sides in Champions League finals, Cardoso could or might not be relieved to know – relying on how superstitious he’s – {that a} Moroccan facet lies in await the winner of Sundowns’ conflict with Espérance this time.
The different Champions League semi-closing is an all-Moroccan affair between AS FAR and RS Berkane.
The second leg between Sundowns and Espérance will happen on April 18. Given that the away objectives rule nonetheless applies within the CAF Champions League and Sundowns progressed to the ultimate by way of this route final season, the Brazilians will know all too properly the significance of coming residence from Tunisia with one thing to their title.
Key particulars
Date: Sunday, April 12 at 21:00 CAT (19:00 GMT)
Venue: Stade Olympique de Radès, Radès
How to watch: The match is scheduled to air on SuperSport’s DSTV channel 202 (SuperSport PSL)
Team information
Nuno Santos and Peter Shalulile are key damage doubts for Sundowns, however their super power in depth will turn out to be useful. Shalulile has been a talisman for Sundowns within the CAF Champions League through the years, however Brayan León has taken on that mantle in current months and faces robust competitors for a beginning berth from an in-type Iqraam Rayners.
Aubrey Modiba will miss the sport by means of suspension after a purple card within the quarter-closing second leg in opposition to Stade Malien.
Expected lineups
Espérance de Tunis
LB Mohamed Ben Hamida | CB Hamza Jelassi | CB Mohamed Amine Tougai | RB Ibrahima Keita
CM Abdramane Konaté | CM Houssem Tka | CM Onuche Ogbelu
LW Jack Diarra | ST Florian Danho | RW Kouceila Boualia
Mamelodi Sundowns
LB Divine Lunga | CB Keanu Cupido | CB Khulumani Ndamane | RB Khuliso Mudau
CM Jayden Adams | CM Marcelo Allende | CM Teboho Mokoena
LW Tashreeq Matthews | ST Brayan León | RW Tsiki Ntsabeleng
Stats
Brayan León has 3 objectives in 6 CAF Champions League appearances this season at a strike price of a objective per 117 minutes.
Iqraam Rayners has 1 objective in 5 appearances at a objective per 269 minutes within the Champions League, however has a greater total strike price this season than León in all competitions. Rayners has 15 objectives in 28 appearances throughout the board at a objective per 115 minutes and León has scored 8 objectives in 17 appearances at a objective each 116 minutes.
