Mamelodi Sundowns’ Impressive Home Form Signals Potential CAF Champions League Final Berth

However, a more detailed analysis might induce a sense of concern. The only side to ever defeat Sundowns on home soil in a second leg is none other than Esperance, who accomplished this feat during the 2024 semi-finals when current Brazilians coach Miguel Cardoso was in charge.

Sundowns approach this match against the Tunisians with a narrow 1-0 advantage from their initial encounter in Rades, yet the visitors will recall their own recent triumph with great satisfaction.

In that instance, it was Esperance who entered the home tie in Pretoria leading 1-0, ultimately maintaining that score with a goal from Raed Bouchniba in the 57th minute. Bouchniba has since departed for a move to Tunisian side Monastir.

Throughout their history in continental competitions dating back to their debut in 1994, Sundowns have engaged in 38 home second leg knockout matches across the Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup, African Football League, CAF Cup, and CAF Cup Winners’ Cup.

From these encounters, they have achieved 27 victories, alongside 10 draws and that lone defeat.

While they have experienced some significant wins, these have typically come in the earlier rounds prior to the group stages.

Notably, they recorded an astonishing 11-1 triumph against Seychelles’ Cote d’Or in the second round during the 2019/20 season, and an 8-1 victory against fellow countrymen La Passe in the 2022/23 campaign. For that clash, the “away” leg was also hosted in Pretoria, where Sundowns triumphed with a 7-0 scoreline.

In total, they have faced North African teams in eight such matches, winning three, drawing four, and suffering that solitary defeat to Esperance.

Across these fixtures, Sundowns have netted an impressive 99 goals while conceding just 19, setting the stage for a potential milestone this weekend.

This record underlines the dominance Sundowns have exhibited on their home turf; however, their one inconsistency has come against a team that has proven they know how to secure a win in Pretoria, which could be a pivotal factor on Saturday.