Patrice Motsepe’s Mamelodi Sundowns reach CAF Champions League final after defeating Esperance

Mamelodi Sundowns, the South African football powerhouse owned by billionaire businessman and CAF president Patrice Motsepe, have booked their place in the CAF Champions League final after a 1–0 second-leg victory over Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

The result sealed a 2–0 aggregate triumph for Sundowns, who had already taken control of the tie with a narrow win in Tunis last weekend. Colombian-born striker Brayan León proved decisive once again, converting a rebound after his first-half penalty was saved by goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said.

León’s spot kick came after a defensive lapse from Espérance, when a routine back-pass was mishandled, allowing the Sundowns forward to pressure the goalkeeper into conceding the foul. Although Ben Said initially denied the penalty, León reacted quickest to fire home the rebound and secure victory.

Sundowns’ pathway to another final

The win sends Sundowns into a second consecutive CAF Champions League final, reinforcing their growing dominance in African club football. Last season’s runners-up will now target a maiden continental crown under Motsepe’s ownership era, having consistently invested in squad depth and continental competitiveness.

Espérance, one of Africa’s most successful clubs, came close to equalising before halftime when Florin Danho’s effort struck the crossbar, but the Tunisian side failed to break down Sundowns’ disciplined defensive structure across both legs.

Meanwhile, in the parallel semi-final, Morocco’s Renaissance Sportive de Berkane narrowly missed out on a comeback despite a 1–0 win in the second leg against fellow Moroccan side Forces Armées Royales. FAR Rabat progressed 2–1 on aggregate after their first-leg advantage held firm.

Final showdown set for May

The CAF Champions League final will now see Sundowns face FAR Rabat over two legs. Sundowns will host the first leg on May 15, before travelling to Rabat for the return fixture seven days later.

FAR Rabat, champions of Africa in 1985, are chasing a long-awaited return to continental glory, while Sundowns aim to convert recent consistency into a first Champions League title in the modern era.