Mamelodi Sundowns: A Look at Their Varied Success in CAF Champions League Semi-Finals

The team is set to face Tunisia’s Esperance in the first leg of their semi-final encounter this Sunday, with aspirations of reaching the final for a second consecutive year.

Historical performance has seen them claim victory in three semi-final ties while suffering defeats in three others. Four of these ties involved teams from North Africa, and Sundowns emerged victorious in just one of those encounters.

Here’s a summary of their previous semi-final confrontations over the years.

2001 – Petro Atletico (Angola)

2-2 on aggregate; Sundowns triumphed 5-3 on penalties

In Pretoria, Carlo Scott and Daniel Mudau found the net, giving Sundowns a lead in the first leg. However, just 48 minutes into the return leg at Estadio Cidadela, Kapela Mbiyavanga scored twice for Petro, drawing the aggregate score level. The match proceeded to penalties, where John Tlale denied Petro’s first attempt. Sundowns converted all five of their penalties, securing a place in the final, although they ultimately lost to Al Ahly.

2016 – ZESCO United (Zambia)

Sundowns won 3-2 on aggregate

In the first leg at Ndola, Jackson Mwanza scored twice for ZESCO United, seemingly putting them in control. However, Khama Billiat salvaged a vital late goal for Sundowns just three minutes before full-time. In the second leg, an early goal from Anthony Laffor gave Sundowns the upper hand on away goals, before Percy Tau secured their progress with an additional goal mid-way through the second half. Sundowns went on to defeat Zamalek in the final.

2018/19 – Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)

Wydad won 2-1 on aggregate

In another away match, Sundowns faced a 2-1 defeat despite Anele Ngcongca’s goal just before half-time. Wydad’s Salah Saidi and Badie Aouk struck to give the Moroccans the edge. Sundowns, needing only one goal to progress in the return leg, were thwarted by a solid defensive display, resulting in a goalless draw.

2022/23 – Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)

2-2 on aggregate; Wydad advanced on away goals

In a repeat of the previous semi-final, Sundowns once again met Wydad, who prevailed this time on away goals. The first leg in Casablanca ended goalless after Sundowns finished with nine men due to two red cards. In the return leg, Sundowns took the lead twice with goals from Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile, but an own goal from Mothobi Mvala allowed Wydad to level the scores at 2-2, earning their place in the final.

2023/24 – Esperance (Tunisia)

Esperance won 2-0 on aggregate

The following year, Sundowns faced a tough Esperance outfit led by their current coach Miguel Cardoso. In the first leg in Tunis, they lost 1-0 after Yan Sasse scored. The return fixture in Pretoria mirrored the result with Raed Bouchniba scoring the sole goal, sending Sundowns out of the competition.

2024/25 – Al Ahly (Egypt)

1-1 on aggregate; Sundowns progressed on away goals

This time Sundowns broke their losing streak against Al Ahly, the Egyptian giants who had often caused them grief in the past. The first leg ended 0-0, and despite going behind to a Taher Mohamed goal in Cairo, Sundowns equalised in the dying moments through an own goal by Yasser Ibrahim, allowing them to advance on away goals before they bowed out to Pyramids in the final.