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Mamelodi Sundowns took a crucial step towards the final of the CAF Champions League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Espérance Sportive de Tunis in a tense semi-final first leg played in Tunis yesterday.
A second-half header from striker Brayan León proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter that saw the South African champions display resilience, particularly after being reduced to ten men late in the match.
Espérance started brightly in front of their home supporters, creating the better chances in the opening period. Defender Mohamed Tougaï forced an early save from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, while Florian Danho came close to breaking the deadlock when his effort struck the post in the 32nd minute.
Despite enjoying spells of pressure and winning several set-pieces, the Tunisian side were unable to find a breakthrough, with Sundowns remaining compact and disciplined at the back.
Sundowns emerged with greater intent after the restart and were rewarded just five minutes into the second half. A well-delivered cross from Thapelo Morena found Brayan León, who powered a header into the top of the net from close range to give the visitors a valuable away lead.
Espérance thought they had equalised in the 65th minute when substitute Aboubacar Diakité found the back of the net, but celebrations were cut short after a VAR review ruled the goal out for a foul on the keeper.
The hosts continued to push forward, with Onuche Ogbelu and Danho both trying their luck from distance and inside the box, but Sundowns goalkeeper Williams remained assured.
The match took another turn in the 84th minute when Sundowns defender Grant Kekana was shown a red card, leaving the visitors to defend their slender lead with ten men.
Espérance threw numbers forward in the closing stages, creating several late chances, including headers from Danho and long-range efforts from Ogbelu, but they were unable to breach the Sundowns defence.
Despite late pressure and 10 minutes of added time, Sundowns held on for a vital 1-0 victory, giving them a narrow but significant advantage heading into the return leg.
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