Mamelodi Sundowns struggle against Champions League semi-final opponents Esperance

10 April 2026 at 08:17

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Sundowns are familiar with this opponent, as the sides have clashed in the Champions League for the third consecutive season. Additionally, the Brazilians current coach Miguel Cardoso led Esperance during their semi-final elimination of Sundowns in the 2023/24 campaign.

Last season Sundowns got their payback by ousting the Tunisians in the quarter-finals, following Cardoso switch to their ranks, yet overall triumphs have been infrequent over time.

Beyond the recent two elimination encounters, the clubs have faced off in group phase fixtures on three occasions since their initial meeting in 2000.

This totals ten distinct fixtures, where Sundowns secured just two victories. Esperance claim four triumphs alongside four stalemates, all ending 0-0.

Sundowns netted six times across those ten outings while Esperance scored seven, but apart from the opening pair of contests that produced seven goals combined, scoring has proven challenging.

Since those initial matches in the subsequent eight games, only six goals have materialised.

Sundowns hold no away wins versus Esperance (D3 L2), whereas on home soil they boast two successes, two losses and one draw.