Sundowns, AS FAR Advance to CAF Champions League Final

Mamelodi Sundowns secured a place in the CAF Champions League final for the second consecutive season after defeating Esperance de Tunis 1-0 in the semifinal second leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday, advancing on a 2-0 aggregate score. In the other semifinal, Morocco's AS FAR progressed by holding off RS Berkane 2-1 on aggregate, setting up a high-stakes final between the South African and Moroccan clubs in May 2026.

Sundowns controlled the match against the Tunisian side, with striker Brayan Leon scoring the decisive goal in the 30th minute. The breakthrough came from a penalty awarded after Esperance goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said collided with Leon during a clearance. Ben Said saved the initial spot kick, but Leon reacted quickly to tap in the rebound, his fifth goal in the competition since joining in January. Esperance nearly equalized before halftime when a deflection off defender Florian Danho struck the crossbar, but Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams faced little threat thereafter.

The South African champions, who lost last year's final to Pyramids FC, displayed tactical discipline throughout both legs, including a 1-0 first-leg win in Tunis. Coach...