A goalless draw in the second leg against Esperance was enough for Mamelodi Sundowns to advance to the CAF Champions League semi-finals, having already secured a 1-0 aggregate lead.
Peter Shalulile's goal in the first leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium proved to be the difference
The Brazilians will face off against Al Ahly in the semifinals. The Egyptian giants downed Al Hilal 2-0 on aggregate to go through.
The match ignited from the whistle, with Sundowns' shot-stopper Ronwen Williams called into action immediately, producing a vital save in the opening minute to thwart Mohamed Amine Tougai.
The home side, Esperance, came out firing, applying relentless pressure and carving out early opportunities. However, Sundowns displayed composure, patiently orchestrating their plays from the back.
The midfield became a fiercely contested zone as both teams battled for control of possession. In the 35th minute, Khuliso Mudau was alert to danger, making a crucial clearance to deny Youcef Belaili.
SUNDOWNS CAME CLOSE TO GETTING AN OPENER AHEAD OF HALFTIME
The first half drew to a close with near misses at Sundowns end: Ribeiro saw his shot drift just wide in the 42nd minute, while a minute later, Marcelo Allende's powerful strike rattled the crossbar, leaving the scoreline untouched at the break.
Esperance emerged for the second half with the same attacking intent, determined to find an early breakthrough.
Despite this, Sundowns remained a constant threat on the counter, with the pace of Peter Shalulile and Arthur Sales causing problems for the Tunisian defense.
The home side intensified their attacks, particularly targeting Khuliso Mudau's flank. The atmosphere reached fever pitch in the 63rd minute when Achref Jebri found the back of the net, but the celebrations were cut short as VAR intervened, ruling the goal offside.
Despite the relentless pressure from Esperance, Sundowns stood firm defensively, showcasing resilience and discipline.
In the 84th minute, Esperance goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said produced a stunning save to deny Peter Shalulile's long-range effort.
Ultimately, Sundowns' resolute defending saw them secure a hard-fought goalless draw, clinching their place in the CAF Champions League semi-finals with a 1-0 aggregate victory.
