Mamelodi Sundowns have once again faced disappointment in the CAF Champions League, exiting the tournament at the semi-final stage.
Their recent defeat came at the hands of Esperance Sportive de Tunis, who secured a 1-0 victory over Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday night.
Here are some key points from the encounter:
- Temporary Suspension: The match between Sundowns and ES Tunis was temporarily suspended in the 22nd minute due to inclement weather.
- Lightning around the stadium made it unsafe for players to be on the field, but after improved conditions, the game resumed from the 22nd minute.
- Injured Players: Sundowns entered the game with several players ruled out due to injuries.
- Among them were Rushine De Reuck, Teboho Mokoena, Abdelmounaim Boutouil, and Siyanda Nyanga. Thapelo Maseko also suffered an injury during the match and was replaced by Thapelo Morena.
- Scoring Struggles: Sundowns have failed to score in their last four Champions League matches.
- They played against Yanga and ES Tunis, drawing 0-0 with Yanga and suffering 1-0 defeats to ES Tunis in both legs.
- FIFA Club World Cup Qualification: Despite their exit from the CAF Champions League, both Sundowns and ES Tunis have qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
- This qualification comes after Egypt’s Al Ahly progressed to the Champions League final by eliminating TP Mazembe.
- Wydad Casablanca from Morocco also joins the qualified teams for the Club World Cup.
The atmosphere at Loftus Versfeld Stadium was undoubtedly charged, but Sundowns’ journey in this year’s CAF Champions League has come to an end.
Fans will be hoping for better fortunes in future campaigns.
