Peter Shalulile’s second-half heroics have seen Mamelodi Sundowns edge Esperance Sportive de Tunis in a 1-0 thriller in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld.
The hosts had an early sight of a goal as they were yearning for an early goal. It was Teboho Mokoena who fired a shot after a good build-up but the goalkeeper made a good save to deny him an opener.
The visitors were effective with the low block, denying their hosts a chance to score. They, however, were taking advantage of the counterattack which saw them drive the ball to Downs’ half, but luckily Thapelo Morena was in the box to stop the shot.
Mokoena was fancying goals because he fired another shot from range, sending the goalkeeper to draw a save. Jayden Adams also had a chance in front of goal from a cross delivered by Lucas Ribeiro. Adams tried to steer the ball into the net with a header but the effort was miscued. Regardless of Masandawana’s many efforts in front of goal, the two sides went to the interval goalless.
It only took nine minutes inside the restart for the Brazilians to find the back of the net. It was Shalulile’s tap-in that broke the deadlock after Adams had assisted him with a header.
The goal saw Esperance looking to retaliate and find an equalizer because ten minutes later, they drew a big save from Lucas Suarez inside the area. Substitute, Arthur Sales finished the save by clearing the ball away from danger.
While the hosts were looking for a goal to double their advantage, their Esperance counterparts pushed more numbers in front as they searched for a goal that would level matters. A good fight was fought by the Pretoria-based because in the end, they emerged victorious through Shalulile’s only goal of the encounter. Up next for Masandawana, is the second leg of these quarterfinals which will take place in Tunisia on Tuesday night.
How we lined up: Williams ©, Mudau, Kekana, Modiba, Suarez, Mokoena, Morena, Allende, Adams, Shalulile, Ribeiro.
Subs: Onyango, Maema, Matthews, Khoza, Rayners, Lunga, Sales, Aubaas, Maseko.
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB WEBSITE.
